VOLUME 6 ISSUE 37
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The OSO Concertmaster Pg B1 October 10 - 16, 2025
Centennial celebration Osceola Middle School, formerly Ocala High School, has been a key part of the community for 100 years.
Sheriff installs grievance drop boxes at the jail The move came after Disability Rights Florida requested the remedy. By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
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Dee Collier, right, a historical reenactor with Make History Come Alive, portrays Mrs. Collins as she teaches English to her students, from left, Collin Blakley, 15, Leif Bouker, 12, Banjo Bowen, 12, and Josie Hill, 10, in a recreated Model 1920s classroom during the Osceola Middle School Centennial Celebration at Osceola Middle School in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025. By Scott Mitchell Special to the Gazette
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sceola Middle School celebrated its 100th year on Oct. 2. The event saw a large turnout, with current and former staff and students, families, local dignitaries and members of the community in attendance. It was gathering that surely would make the original 1925 staff and students very proud. The evening was full of activities and old friends reminiscing. Former students spanning several generations mingled and reminisced. There were retired teachers like Elaine Tucci and Marianne Marcoux, who both taught gifted classes at the school, two former Marion County School District superintendents (Jim Yancey and George Tomyn) and longtime former school principal John McCollum. Prominent schools in a community the size of Ocala don’t turn 100 often. When they do, it is a significant event. Current students took the lead for much of the evening. Osceola Middle School and
Forest High School band members joined together to play 1925-style music in the courtyard. Other Osceola students served food from the same era, greeted guests and handed out programs. One room was converted into an original classroom with antique school desks from the Silver River Museum. Historical interpreter Dee Collier portrayed a teacher from the 1920s and “taught” student actors with help from the Ocala Civic Theatre. Guests could take part in the lessons, and the room saw a steady flow of visitors. Another classroom became a museum for the evening, with exhibits of school memorabilia. The display was organized by Adam Sines, who volunteers with Mainstreet Ocala, with assistance from the Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology. Old yearbooks, photographs, a 1950s physical education uniform and the original gymnasium scoreboard and clock were just a few of the objects on display. A vintage hand-crank phonograph even played a 1920s record with exercise instructions.
School principal Renee Johnson, who did an outstanding job planning and hosting the celebration, officiated a presentation in the newly renovated auditorium. This included several guest speakers and a special video created by students documenting why the school is special. Matthew Grow, president of the Historic Ocala Preservation Society, also presented a centennial recognition plaque noting the significance of the school. Comments by Interim Superintendent of Schools Danielle Brewer and Johnson highlighted the history of the school, its strong connection to the community and recent upgrades to the buildings. Renovations include work on the roofing system, HVAC improvements, a new 12,000 square foot cafeteria and a modern gymnasium, which is set to open soon. Brewer also pointed out that, “Though the physical campus has undergone renovations and new construction through the years, Osceola’s traditions and pursuit of excellence has remained intact.” See Centennial celebration, page A10
he Marion County Sheriff ’s Office has begun installing secure grievance drop boxes in the jail following an order from Disability Rights Florida, which raised concerns that inmates—particularly those with disabilities—were being blocked from filing medical and other complaints. According to jail policy, formal grievances must now be placed into “a secured grievance box located in each housing unit,” with zone sergeants required to check the boxes each shift. Records show the sheriff ’s office purchased the boxes this summer from Amazon. A June 2025 requisition lists two “Architectural Mailboxes Aspen Locking, Vertical Wall-Mounted Mailboxes” at a total cost of $43.60. In emails exchanged with Disability Rights Florida, jail officials confirmed the drop boxes were delivered and installed by August. “The drop boxes were delivered and installed! Our jail captains are just working on finalizing the policy, then they’ll begin using them,” wrote Marissa Duquette, general counsel for the sheriff ’s office, on Aug. 19. While the installation of drop boxes addresses the access part of filing grievances, the “Gazette’s” review of the grievance policy shows several areas where inmate complaints could still be lost, delayed or rerouted: • Staff gatekeeping: Inmates must request forms from deputies or sergeants, and sergeants decide whether an inmate has tried “informal resolution” before allowing a formal grievance. That creates a risk of blocking complaints at the outset. • Multiple handoffs: A grievance passes through several levels of staff before reaching the See Grievance drop boxes, page A2
Ticket revenue doesn’t cover the rising costs of school sports By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
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ast week, the Marion County School District hosted four home football games, and the cost of security alone totaled roughly $5,700.
Interim Superintendent Danielle Brewer described that as “a light week.” The district paid the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office for 22 deputies — four each at Belleview, Dunnellon and Lake Weir high schools, and 10 at North Marion High School for its rivalry
matchup against Vanguard. These after-hour security costs are in addition to the $4.9 million the district pays Marion County Sheriff ’s Office, Belleview and Ocala Police departments for school resource officerswhose duty ends when the school day ends.
Two years ago, prices were raised for admission events athletic tickets to cover the increasing costs of officials who govern the game, but rising security expenses, as well as transportation costs to games See Ticket revenue page A7
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INSIDE:
Ocala Bull Sale.............................. A4 Legislative meeting....................... A6 Transportation plans................... A8 Fillies brunch................................. B2 Calendar......................................... B8
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