Marion County proposes modest central-office staffing changes, adds 10 bus aides and two special-needs paraprofessionals

Marion County school officials presented proposed updates to the district's 2026-27 central-office staffing plan at the June 4 work session, describing a mix of position upgrades, reductions and operational moves intended to support students and reduce contracted costs.

Miss Moran, presenting the item, said the recommendations include upgrading supervisor roles to director-level positions, upgrading a risk-management specialist to a coordinator, cutting a coordinator of student discipline position and a teacher position at Marion Success Academy, adding two special-needs paraprofessionals, and adding 10 bus aides. She reported the recommended updates would add $272,157 to the approved central-office staffing plan but that unfunding 14 positions produces approximately $937,986 in savings. The total cost of the proposed 2026-27 central-office staffing plan was presented as $97,152,142 after internal budget moves.

Trustees asked for detail on student-discipline coverage and direct-staff impacts. Miss Thrower noted that additions such as bus aides and special-needs paraprofessionals provide direct support to students and help with safety and retention of transportation staff.

Mr. White House, speaking for operations, said the 10 bus aides are part of a plan to internalize routes the district currently contracts for Bridgeway Academy: "Adding these aids is going to allow us to then take over all of the routes that we are currently contracting out for Bridgeway Academy and internalize those," he said, adding route optimization and new buses will support the change and result in significant contract savings.

Board members expressed support but emphasized replenishing district reserves and monitoring discipline workloads after the proposed reduction. Trustees agreed to bring the plan forward for board consideration at the June 23 meeting.