COMMUNITY NEWS BRIEFS: Magamoll, Fleischhaker, clerk/comptroller office and MCPS earn honors; MCFR expands training

Mary Chance, president of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, left, presents Meghan Magamoll, executive director of the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, the Susan Copeland Unbridled Spirit Award. [Submitted photo]

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Posted June 30, 2025 | By Susan Smiley-Height, [email protected]

Magamoll named inaugural winner of award

Meghan Magamoll, executive director of the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, was has been named the inaugural winner of the Susan Copeland Unbridled Spirit Award from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.

Magamoll, who has led the PEFMC for four years, received the surprise honor while hosting the consortium’s annual Leadership Retreat Conference at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala.

The award honors the longtime Polk Education Foundation’s late executive director. The award, established this year, recognizes “local education foundation leaders who demonstrate courage, compassion and an unwavering commitment to others, no matter the circumstances,” both personal and professional, the news release noted.

“Meghan embodies what it means to lead with unbridled spirit,” said consortium President Mary Chance, in the release. “Her courage, warmth and unshakable optimism reflect the legacy we honor in Susan Copeland.”

Fleischhaker earns certification

Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership interim CEO Tamara Fleischhaker has completed the Certificate in Workforce Development Fundamentals, a nationally recognized program jointly offered by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Foundation and International Economic Development Council.

Fleischhaker is among just over 150 professionals across the country to have earned the credential. Over six weeks, participants explored the intersection of economic and workforce development through expert-led sessions, interactive exercises and applied learning, culminating in a final online assessment.

“This certification reflects Tamara’s commitment to advancing inclusive workforce strategies that meet the evolving needs of our region,” said CEP Board Chair Charisse Rivers, in the news release.

 

Clerk and comptroller office earn certificates

The Marion County Clerk of Court and Comptroller’s Office has been awarded 10 certificates in recognition of excellence for best practices by Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers in the areas of Capital Asset Management, Compliance Services (Collections), Eviction, Evidence Storage and Destruction, Exploitation of Vulnerable Adult Injunction, GAAP Financial Reporting, Grants Administration, Marriage License, Post-Issuance Policies and Procedures and Wireless Communications Device Citation.

The best practices excellence program was established in 2020-2021 by FCCC as an opportunity for clerks to receive recognition for completing assessments that evaluate acceptance of and adherence to certain best practices. Since the program launched, the Marion County Clerk of Court and Comptroller’s Office has been recognized in all 46 eligible areas.

“I am consistently impressed by our team’s commitment to excellence,” said Gregory C. Harrell, Marion County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, in the news release.

MCPS earns PR awards

The National School Public Relations Association recently announced its 2025 Golden Achievement winners and Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards. Marion County Public Schools earned eight honors:

• Golden Achievement Award – “2024-2025 Bell Times” (one of five Florida public school districts to win)
• Award of Excellence – “Marching Band Preps @ Lake Weir High” (in-house video)
• Award of Excellence – “Teacher Appreciation Cart @ Liberty Middle” (in-house video)
• Award of Merit – 2024-2025 School Calendar
• Award of Merit – “Launching Literacy II” video series (in-house)
• Honorable Mention – “What Went Right” (excellence in writing)
• Honorable Mention – “A Day in the Life of a School Bus Driver” (in-house video)
• Honorable Mention – “The Man Who Paints It All” (in-house video)

NSPRA’s awards program recognizes outstanding school communication materials, with a record number of entries submitted this year from districts across the country. Submissions were judged on overall excellence and quality within peer categories, the news release noted.

MCFR expands in-house training for new firefighters

Marion County Fire Rescue has entered into a five-year agreement with the Florida State Fire College to lease training and classroom space in order to conduct its own in-house firefighter minimum standards training, including Firefighter I and Firefighter II programs.

The courses will be delivered by MCFR instructors using MCFR curriculum and equipment, with FSFC providing the facilities, live-fire props and classroom space.

“By delivering this training in-house, we not only ensure our recruits are receiving instruction that directly reflects MCFR’s values and methods, but we also significantly reduce training costs,” said MCFR Fire Chief James Banta, in the news release.

The cost to train a recruit under the FSFC model is $4,096 per student. With the new in-house program, MCFR estimates a cost of $1,800 per student, a savings of $2,296 per student. For a class of 20 recruits, this results in a projected savings of $45,920, the release noted.