Superintendent (Speaker 3) briefed the Marion County School District board on monthly data and a legislative outlook that could require local policy changes.

"I think it is becoming clear that some form of school choice will pass the legislative session," the superintendent said, and added that district officials were told implementation details, such as transfer limits and the length students must remain, would be left to local boards to resolve. The superintendent said the district will prepare policy options and meet with principals to review enrollment at each grade and teacher staffing units.

The superintendent reported funded enrollment of about 1,747 students for the current funding year, noting that pre-kindergarten students are funded separately and that including pre-K would add roughly 40 students to total headcount. On discipline, the superintendent said data on out-of-school suspensions and alternative placements are part of the monthly packet but that a specific total for alternative placements would be provided next month.

The report covered several operational issues the district plans to address. On teacher pay, the superintendent said both legislative chambers indicated support for raises but disagreed on whether raises would be paired with school-choice language: "The House seems to want to tie it in with school choice," the superintendent said, while "the Senate wants a separate bill."

Transportation was flagged as a near-term priority. The superintendent told the board the district expects larger, shared buses in 2028 but needs "3 to 4 of these used buses between now and 2028" to maintain service and provide spares. Staff are evaluating available models, mileage and routes and plan to revisit the budget in early spring.

Other operational notes: food and nutrition metrics were described as "way ahead" year-to-date for revenue and inventory, lighting projects have been advertised with openings in early January, and the district expects to close on the Huddl property at Bruce Bockworth's office in Columbus on Wednesday morning.

The superintendent concluded by saying the district will continue planning and return with more detailed options for board consideration as the legislative session progresses.