[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6226888,"mediaKeyId","3503181-0e578c5c9c3e47be516fa9dcd2d69d4e","parentId",3503181,"title","Marion County schools spotlight mentoring programs serving hundreds of students; providers ask for more volunteers and steady funding","audioSeconds",2971,"startMs",773000,"endMs",3744000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503181-0e578c5c9c3e47be516fa9dcd2d69d4e&start=773&end=3744","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503181-0e578c5c9c3e47be516fa9dcd2d69d4e/thumbnail_773000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6226888/Florida/Marion-County-schools-spotlight-mentoring-programs-serving-hundreds-of-students-providers-ask-for-more-volunteers-and-steady-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226888-ff7cac19aa8e8886ed08b37236521b5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457058&Signature=neR~P2-ojfTXodquxZTPI13b5R72HYlx9uaoYwmoKaAuqPs3uUwP82ZJq3O4v~ppZZnc1BM38kW3EaGmw8djTA3wWLJz-8cdPU6y-HseKGPlYZB-Cpa-BqWp4aWtrjfanKMSg~Kzzj8zkYffhy9FD9UaqbufE0Rp9O6r13KR8EIezGU2gKUEpkZAnNL3y8aNKQKIC6lA9NcyKIDJU0ifBaouOdzYp62eoIU1kqRIA7a~GBxUn4Il0Q5ZMu4hfyFi1edJHJQtgzPlQ1-4iQVnnpxsLOHLKhVPhiauvVpK8Q7MDhbk8lMH6MIkCopiJG5sUryCdyofm8fVmH-BT763Vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marion County School District","date","2025-05-25T05:00:07.157Z","article","Leaders from Marion County Public Schools and local nonprofit mentoring programs on May 22 presented a range of school-based and community mentoring efforts that serve hundreds of Marion County students and urged the board to support staffing, volunteer recruitment and clearer funding information.

The presentations, given during the Marion County School Board’s administrative briefing and work session, included an internal district program called Elevate Marion; Take Stock in Children’s scholarship-and-mentor program; Big Brothers Big Sisters; community-led groups including Dare to be Great, Girls on the Rise and Cut Different; and the Marion County Children’s Alliance SCIP program. Speakers gave program details including participation counts and outcomes and asked the board for clarity about district costs and support.

Why it matters: Mentoring programs are a district and community tool to address attendance, behavior and student engagement before formal mental-health or disciplinary interventions are needed. Board members asked for a consolidated summary of program costs, the number of students served, and funding sources so they can better evaluate district support and coordinate community partners.

Take Stock in Children reported long-running results: the county chapter serves cohorts of approximately 50 students per grade and this school year served 256 students across its cohorts, delivered 3,449 mentoring sessions so far, and awarded $330,000 in college tuition scholarships to the most recent graduating class. Program speaker Megan Magamal said the foundation also provides post-graduation support through Take Stock in College to help alumni continue toward degrees.

The district’s internal Elevate Marion mentorship program, described by district staff, focuses on middle-school students and uses the Search Institute’s 40 developmental assets. Presenters said cohorts launched in November 2022 and the program currently serves 16 sixth-graders, 10 seventh-graders and seven eighth-graders; district staff reported that the first Elevate cohort showed reduced absences and disciplinary incidents over time.

Community providers outlined different models and needs. Davita Randolph of the Howard Academy Community Center said Dare to be Great supports middle-school girls with a no-cost curriculum, community partners and mentoring; she announced a cotillion scheduled for July 19 at 4 p.m. at the Mary Sue Rich Center. Romica Gilmore, founder of Girls on the Rise Mentoring, said the group focuses on Black and Brown girls and described one recent crisis intervention when a high-school mentee reached out and staff intervened in person. Jamie Gilmore of Cut Different said his program serves 82 young men in five schools and reported preliminary reading-growth gains at several sites.

Marion County Children’s Alliance representatives summarized the SCIP (Supporting Kids Involving Parents) program, noting it receives Department of Juvenile Justice grant funds and this year served 266 youth for mentoring and tutoring; the speakers said the program’s recidivism rate was 2.5 percent among participants with prior juvenile justice involvement.

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ local manager, Susan Alexander, said their community- and site-based models run in the county and emphasized volunteer recruitment as the greatest barrier to scaling up services.

Board members pressed for a short summary chart the district can share with the public showing for each mentoring program: how many students served, funding sources (district general fund, grants, donations, partner support), staff or volunteer models, and any measurable outcomes. Board member James asked staff to produce “a cost and then how many students are served total” for each program and to identify the funding source (Title, grant, principal discretion or donations).

Ending: District staff said they will compile the requested cost and service tables and return to the board with more detail. Several board members and presenters urged more volunteer signups and community donations to expand programs across Marion’s large geographic area.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marion County School Board Work Session, May 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Leaders from Marion County Public Schools and local nonprofit mentoring programs on May 22 presented a range of school-based and community mentoring efforts that serve hundreds of Marion County students and urged the board to support staffing, volunteer recruitment and clearer funding information.","taxTitle","Marion, School Districts, Florida","taxId",15365,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6226884,"Board questions Marion County central office staffing plan after staff say proposed 2025-26 cost rises despite net position cuts",8919,8119000,17038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503181-0e578c5c9c3e47be516fa9dcd2d69d4e&start=8119&end=17038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503181-0e578c5c9c3e47be516fa9dcd2d69d4e/thumbnail_8119000.jpg","/articles/6226884/Florida/Board-questions-Marion-County-central-office-staffing-plan-after-staff-say-proposed-2025-26-cost-rises-despite-net-position-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226884-69eea18ac80d89d071d1616180a44367/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457058&Signature=IYxs-MxwS3r-KsmS0fFAz-1rdBekPnx1qrzwpOfV8CES8TQsSNNP9-VH1c09ZxaLwlAywnJDi2pSs0~9ROHBy-6i4Y2LXdh8pUvT4HJwln~Me2JdER7ThxnImeJyqyThvypWbP4scXR3WNgML2DL9s3~H5xLsW5x6By7s7-h~wZBYp6mjguMrIAnT26L~pZcDa-o8~DcoJtP2jvA1klH4dCw~v5OeO0I5~wJtXHDdTBYBO40~M1W3ljYrogVMweZDYwU5CwhLh2ZltJ4c4hZqpVbXxtzWqKBc9YU~KtxaKQpaOv96GazryNa9WBOz~fJkMf86wBhEHhn9YBbawCZNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion County School Board spent much of its May 22 work session reviewing a proposed Central Office Staffing Plan for 2025-26 after staff reported that the plan shows a $99 million all-funds cost (about $84 million from the general fund) and a net headcount reduction of 18 positions but an increase of roughly $8.2 million in general-fund expense compared with last year's approved budget.

Board members pressed finance leaders and the interim superintendent for reconciliations of conflicting figures, requested specifics on which positions are frozen or funded through grants, and asked for an itemized cost-per-position breakdown ahead of further decisions.

Why it matters: The staffing plan affects recurring personnel costs across the district. Board members said they need clear, auditable numbers to decide whether to prioritize central-office cuts, school-based reductions or a mix of both; several members stressed the board must not rely solely on short-term fund balance to cover recurring costs.

Key points from the session

- Staff presentation: District staff said the proposed central-office staffing plan would cost about $99 million in all funds, with $84 million from the general fund — an $8.2 million increase over the adopted general-fund staffing budget for 2024-25. The plan showed an overall net decrease of 18 administrative positions but additional proposed hires and realignments in some departments.

- Board confusion and requests for reconciliation: Several board members questioned the arithmetic. Board member James asked, “So how are we less 18 positions and more $9,000,000? Because I think that's the math I just heard.” (transcript). Finance staff explained that the comparison point is the prior year's adopted budget, and that positions added or removed during the year (after adoption) can make the year-to-year comparison look discrepant. Staff also said they had unfunded multiple positions during budget balancing and that some positions carried by departments were added back later in the year.

- Frozen positions and grant-funded roles: Staff said some positions are frozen or are funded by federal grants and therefore do not affect the general-fund balance in the same way. Board members asked for a clear list separating (a) general-fund recurring positions, (b) grant-funded positions, and (c) currently frozen/unfunded vacancies. One board member requested the cost attached to each position by department, and for clarity on which roles are covered by recurring funds versus one-time or grant sources.

- Timeline and process: Board members asked staff to prepare a round-two staffing plan and to return with a more detailed proposal. Several board members recommended that staff produce a department-by-department, facility-by-facility list showing salary-and-benefit totals so the board can weigh options before opening school-based staffing plans.

Board directions and next steps

Staff accepted multiple information requests and agreed to provide: an itemized list of positions with costs, a list of frozen/unfunded positions, separation of general-fund and grant-funded roles, and identification of positions placed on adjusted or frozen pay scales. The board scheduled follow-up discussion at the June 5 work session and asked staff to identify additional reductions that could be implemented while minimizing classroom impacts.

Ending: Finance staff noted the numbers will continue to move as the district finalizes revenue estimates and fund balance. The board directed staff to return with the requested reconciliations and position-level cost detail for follow-up deliberations.","The Marion County School Board spent much of its May 22 work session reviewing a proposed Central Office Staffing Plan for 2025-26 after staff reported that the plan shows a $99 million all-funds cost and a net headcount decrease of 18 positions while general-fund costs rose compared with the prior adopted budget.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6226886,"Marion County presents updated mental-health plan under Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas law; proposes more school-based providers",1254,5786000,7040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503181-0e578c5c9c3e47be516fa9dcd2d69d4e&start=5786&end=7040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503181-0e578c5c9c3e47be516fa9dcd2d69d4e/thumbnail_5786000.jpg","/articles/6226886/Florida/Marion-County-presents-updated-mental-health-plan-under-Floridas-Marjory-Stoneman-Douglas-law-proposes-more-school-based-providers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226886-164575c8f8a0f7316b31251069cb9dd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457058&Signature=aFHefCJRWeSq5ibwq8eprlpuGhjXrCghhB-ObQMkxH3AcLkHZlzO5fMMhVumvymMFhijUPnZ63s9SQBlTihLv8dGCpcSxdgFId-UkUrA~Fe9~6X1lt542EOI8~Rlnb0XsCj-1tGZKD9Xqlm1O6eYGte8aZEMEOW7tTrS3M38gNbNksnjhjOXz8CwQ0UTcL-wgzbkAEpECvjyy~jV3pXgWue~zFxFUhP19j1ui24MaKZ3c2I2NywRpX1CelzKpR8oM1VXMgp6vB4UTxdYkTYlwLDlf0JbozewEoZA8hN1mAaIb4gIBtSC8XR1IhMB36-FAFqu4JipMW7JRpv15AwcrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marion County Public Schools on May 22 presented its updated comprehensive mental health plan — required by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act — outlining new hires, screening tools and community partnerships intended to expand access to mental-health services for students.

The plan, presented by district mental-health staff, recommended using the state'provided Mental Health Assistance Allocation to add 17 school-based positions for the coming year: one additional school counselor, five additional school psychologists and 10 additional school social workers. The district said 90 percent of the MHAA budget will be used to fund direct student-facing mental-health staff.

Why it matters: Florida districts must use the mental-health allocation to lower student-to-provider ratios and meet statutory safety and behavioral-support requirements. Board members used the presentation to probe screening procedures, community capacity and whether school-resource officers (SROs) have coordinated training on assessment and de-escalation.

Highlights from the presentation included:

- Screening and progress monitoring: The district is using a teacher-rated behavior observation tool at the elementary level (BASC-3 or similar) to identify externalizing behaviors and piloting a self-report screener at two secondary sites (Fort McCoy Middle and Horizon Academy). District staff emphasized that multiple data sources (teacher ratings, parent/staff referrals and multidisciplinary-team review) inform intervention decisions and that teacher feedback will be collected biweekly to track intervention effects.

- Staff increases and allocation: The plan would add 17 school-based providers and district-level mental-health positions, funded largely through the state allocation. Presenters said reducing provider caseloads will allow more direct intervention for students.

- Training: The district reported that 97 percent of staff have completed the required youth mental-health first-aid training, exceeding the state'mandated 80 percent verification level.

- Threat and suicide assessments: Presenters said this school year saw the highest number of threat assessments in six years. The district highlighted that roughly 80 percent of threat assessments are summarily closed at the school level (unfounded, self-harm only, or low-level threats). District staff also reported an overall trend of stable suicide-assessment counts but a spike in threat assessments.

- Community partnerships and response: District staff said they will continue working with local agencies (SMA Healthcare, BRAVE and others) to expand mobile response, service navigation and family engagement. After the district coordinated with SMA Healthcare to boost mobile-response availability, school teams reported fewer student Baker Act transports.

Board Q&A and next steps

Board members asked how quickly newly assigned SROs receive mental-health and de-escalation training and whether families can opt out of secondary-level screening. District staff said certified mental-health professionals complete suicide-risk assessments and SROs are engaged only when a case is high-risk; staff also explained that student-level screening on secondary campuses would require opt-in parental consent under current statutes and the Parent Bill of Rights.

Staff said they will continue coaching school teams on progress monitoring and will add the BRAVE service-navigation partnership to refer families and confirm whether they engaged with community services.

Ending: The district requested the board'level review of the plan and said it will continue to bring data and progress-monitoring results to the board. Members asked for continued updates on threat-assessment trends, SRO training protocols, and capacity for community referrals.","At the May 22 work session MCPS presented its Comprehensive Mental Health Plan (required under the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act), proposed adding 17 school-based mental health positions, reported high rates of threat assessments this year and said 97% of staff had received youth mental-health first-aid training.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6226880,"Marion County board starts superintendent search process; RFP to reuse 2019 template and timeline of roughly three months",931,17040000,17971000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503181-0e578c5c9c3e47be516fa9dcd2d69d4e&start=17040&end=17971","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503181-0e578c5c9c3e47be516fa9dcd2d69d4e/thumbnail_17040000.jpg","/articles/6226880/Florida/Marion-County-board-starts-superintendent-search-process-RFP-to-reuse-2019-template-and-timeline-of-roughly-three-months","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226880-6ebda5513e495eb5779d77150d9b48ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457058&Signature=U9UjbBYZyWSC71tZcR8Hod0gtO5gHQ4-hqXNCkrKzQA1H87jHMJrRcvOVgGmlyQcA3BgD3mnp9uIyGbtuubGSpt2rm4aDFGWMV8RFXjQt1ae2wdt3mkzCo5DZhhVGOCxCGt4ZY4wnUu4zekfwlfkQUPaZHNQWSeLUYnsMZBQAEyNYsRDzJkL60qIMJjdiu3HoyM~vW60JLb7-pvtlFc9WlH25toz-7r4L3l5QlGK-8QyX7HKWjI7nMl34ADMvRv5yIgIb1I1HVKsN1dsIiYB4a-GS2Q2R1rtUOhq2xub9CxO88VAvDkLiIvtHXNanAs2YNucanbL00mut9XtHRL3VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion County School Board on May 22 reviewed the planned procurement process to hire a superintendent-search firm, agreed to use its 2019 request-for-proposals as a base, and authorized district purchasing to circulate possible timelines for the board's review.

The district's purchaser explained the typical search-firm procurement process: release an RFP, allow roughly a month for vendor responses, provide the board with proposals for initial evaluation, shortlist firms for interviews if necessary and negotiate a contract with the chosen firm. The purchaser said a typical calendar for an RFP-based superintendent search is about 12 to 14 weeks from release to firm selection if the board follows a standard timeline.

Why it matters: Selecting a search firm sets the pace for the superintendent recruitment, community engagement and the board's eventual hiring timeline. Given the number of candidates and the geographic reach of national search firms, the board discussed whether to adjust the RFP's timelines and the dates for interviews and evaluation meetings.

Board direction and next steps

- The purchasing lead will distribute suggested calendar options and proposed public meeting dates to the board via email so trustees can confirm availability during the summer and plan an evaluation meeting and possible interview dates.

- The district will advertise the RFP through Vendorlink and local notices and reinvite firms that responded in 2019; a cone-of-silence will be in effect from the RFP release until board approval of a recommendation.

Board members discussed whether to aim for an earlier start date for a new superintendent or a later window; several members said a July 1 start was ambitious given advertising and interview timelines. The board agreed the next step is for staff to provide draft timeline options and for trustees to firm up calendar availability so the RFP release and evaluation schedule can be set.

Ending: The board asked staff to return with calendar options and the draft RFP language for board review; staff said they will circulate potential dates so the board can settle the RFP release and interview schedule before the district posts the solicitation.","The board reviewed procedures to hire a search firm, agreed to reuse and update the 2019 RFP, and asked purchasing to circulate draft schedule options and key dates; the procurement will include a cone-of-silence once published.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Marion County schools spotlight mentoring programs serving hundreds of students; providers ask for more volunteers and steady funding

Board questions Marion County central office staffing plan after staff say proposed 2025-26 cost rises despite net position cuts

Marion County presents updated mental-health plan under Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas law; proposes more school-based providers

Marion County board starts superintendent search process; RFP to reuse 2019 template and timeline of roughly three months