Board agrees to explore expanding communication boards for nonverbal, hearing‑impaired students

Travis Layne asked the Marion County Board of Education on Aug. 11 to expand communication boards used by pre‑K students to playgrounds at all nine district schools. The board agreed to have staff investigate costs and return with more information at the next meeting. Dr. Mark A. Griffith, secretary of the Marion County Board of Education, told members the district already has boards in pre‑K playgrounds and said each cost about $2,500. "The cost for those were $2500.00 each," Griffith said. Layne provided a brief description of how the boards work and their costs during his presentation. Griffith said he would like the board’s permission to look into placing the boards across the county and to discuss the item again at the next meeting; board members indicated agreement that the expansion would be beneficial for non‑verbal and hearing‑impaired students. The request at this meeting was for staff to research and return recommendations; no purchase or contract was approved during the Aug. 11 session.