JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
The Marion County Board of Education has approved a lease agreement with the Marion County Food Bank and accepted the first readings of three updated board policies during its recent monthly meeting.
Director of Schools Mark Griffith explained that the county’s local food bank had approached the Board with a proposed 99-year lease agreement to secure new housing for its operations. The food bank had previously partnered with another organization in search of a new facility after their original location fell into disrepair. Griffith noted that the lease survey would be reviewed by the Board’s attorney, Mark Raines Jr., before the agreement is finalized.
In addition to the lease, board members also accepted the first readings of three state-recommended policies that require updates to align with new legislation. Among them is Policy 6.701, which outlines rules and requirements regarding school fundraising activities.
Griffith shared that the state has introduced 286 education-related bills so far this year, 75 of which have been signed into law. The new policies, presented for their first reading, will require a second reading before they are officially adopted into the local school system.
All Board members voted in favor of both the lease agreement and the first readings of the policy updates. The lease is expected to take effect in the coming weeks, pending legal review.
