About the Board of School Trustees
The Board of School Trustees of Marion Community Schools is comprised of elected officials that serve four-year terms. There are a total of seven elected members, and elections are held at two-year intervals.
Board meetings are usually held on the second Tuesday of every month. Board members welcome community input. View the meeting schedule here.
Any written communications for board members may be sent to their attention at the District Offices at Marion High School, 750 W. 26th St., Marion, IN 46953. You can also email board members; you can find their addresses here.
Phone messages may be directed to 765-662-2546, ext. 125.
Agendas for each meeting are posted here as soon as they are available.
Minutes from each meeting are also posted here after the board has approved them. This means there is a minimum two-week delay from the date of the meeting to the time the minutes are available for public review.
The bylaws of the corporation and board policies can be viewed here.
FAQs: School Board
Which board member represents me?
MCS Board of School Trustees members each represent one of four districts within the geographical area served by Marion Community Schools. District I, II and III are representative of specific geographical areas within the school boundaries. District IV is the "At-Large" district, which encompasses the entire school district. To see which board member represents which district, click here to view the current board members' bio pages. Here's a closer look at the areas each district represents:
- District 1: three board members are elected to represent this area, which includes all areas within the boundaries of the civil city of Marion:
- District 2: one board member is elected to represent this area, which includes Franklin and Pleasant townships outside the civil city of Marion but within the boundaries of the Marion Community Schools district:
- District 3: one board member is elected to represent this area, which includes Center and Washington townships outside the civil city of Marion but within the boundaries of the Marion Community Schools district:
- District 4: two board members are elected to represent this area, which is an "At-Large" district including all the area within the boundaries of the Marion Community Schools district:
I don't know what township / precinct I live in. How can I find out?
Log on to indianavoters.com, where you can put in your address to get information including your township and government districts of every level. Precinct maps are available from the Grant County election and voters office. Click here to access their site. (Then you can determine which school board member represents you directly, using the information above).
How can have input on the topics and decisions considered by the board?
Regular board meetings are not public hearings. School board members are elected representatives, making decisions on behalf of their constituents (the residents of the Marion Community Schools district). In essence, regular school board meetings are open for public viewing, but these regular meetings are in general not the time for debate by members of the public.
As with any such form of representative governance, anyone who wants greater input into a decision should present his or her concerns to his or her board member ahead of time.
Meeting agendas are posted prior to the meetings. Click here to view those. You can also review minutes from past meetings here (though they are not posted immediately).
How can I contact my board representative?
Contact information is listed for all board members in their bios on our site. Click here to view the bio pages.
When are school board elections?
Elections are staggered. There are a total of seven elected members who serve four-year terms, and elections are held at two-year intervals. Elections are held in even years (i.e. 2018, 2020, etc.), but not all seven seats are up for election in every election cycle. To find out when current board members' terms expire, click here to view their bio page, where term expiration dates are listed.
Board Meeting Schedule
Click here to view the meeting schedule for the MCS Board of School Trustees.
What to Expect at a Board Meeting
The Board of Education of the Marion Community Schools welcomes your attendance.
When and where are Board meetings conducted?
Regular Board meetings are normally held at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month in the District Board Room at Marion High School, 750 W. 26th St. (enter Door 22). A complete schedule of all meetings is posted here.
What is the School Board?
The Marion Community Schools Board of School Trustees is an elected governmental body charged with providing educational programs for children who reside within the corporation boundaries. Members are elected in November and take office in January. Elections are staggered. There are a total of seven elected members who serve four-year terms, and elections are held at two-year intervals. Elections are held in even years (i.e. 2018, 2020, etc.), but not all seven seats are up for election in every election cycle. To find out when current board members' terms expire, click here to view his or her bio page, where term expiration dates are listed.
What is accomplished at Board meetings?
Board meetings are for the purpose of hearing reports, acting upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, adopting the annual budget and tax rates, and authorizing the spending of funds. Any matter may come before the Board, yet the Board's responsibility is as a policy making entity. Operational school related issues are handled through administrative channels, and patrons are encouraged to utilize the contact information contained herein to assist them.
What is the role of the Superintendent?
The Superintendent is a professional educator employed by the Board to carry out adopted policies and is responsible for leading and managing the day-to-day operations of the schools. Through input and consultation with Board members, the Superintendent prepares the agenda for each Board meeting. The Superintendent can assist patrons by helping to direct their comments and concerns to the appropriate personnel, or responding himself.
How do I get my questions answered?
Most issues and questions are resolved at the building level. Parents and patrons are encouraged to contact teachers and principals as a first step. Principals are authorized and expected to make decisions for their students. Questions that are not resolved by the building level personnel may be directed to the proper personnel in the District Office. Parents and patrons are encouraged to ask questions and make suggestions via email. Click here for a list of district email addresses.
We look forward to working with you!
Can I request to speak at a Board meeting?
The School Board accepts requests to speak at the Board meetings that are open to the public. The School Board President reviews all such requests, per Board bylaws, policy 0167.3. Each meeting's agenda includes time for public comments, as outlined in Board bylaws and in accordance with Indiana law.
Board Goals
Marion Community School Corporation
BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES GOALS
Adopted December 9, 2009
Vision
Marion Community Schools will be an innovative, competitive place of opportunity where all students will graduate and be equipped with skills, knowledge and character to be leaders in a global society.
Mission
We the Board, administration, faculty, staff, parents and patrons of Marion Community Schools, will provide a quality education for each student.
We believe in striving for excellence with each student by serving them at their place of need and raising achievement expectations.
We believe every student is entitled to a safe school environment.
We believe in being fiscally responsible and maximizing resources for the benefit of all stakeholders.
We believe in developing effective relationships.