School district leaders weigh $10,000 CEP membership

Matt McCormick [Photo courtesy CEP]

The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership’s new leader made his formal debut before the Marion County School Board on Dec. 18, sparking a candid discussion about the $10,000 annual price tag for the school district’s membership.

Matt McCormick, president and chief executive officer, was finishing his fourth week directing the CEP when he presented a “top hits” list of the organization’s involvement with the district, ranging from voter engagement for the successful half-penny sales tax referendum in November 2024 to Career and Technical Education (CTE) partnerships. McCormick, who moved to Ocala from Missouri, emphasized that his career in economic development has taught him a simple truth: “The community with the best schools wins.”

The presentation explored the value and source of the membership dues. School Board member Allison Campbell revealed she had inadvertently received the CEP’s invoice for the last two years, which prompted a deeper look into the partnership during a year when the district faced a $64 million shortfall.

“To put it as crudely as possible, $10,000 is a big price tag to be a part of a chamber of commerce for a school district,” Campbell said, questioning whether the benefits of the partnership would continue even if the district wasn’t “paying to play.”

Gary Smallridge, principal of Marion Technical College (MTC), clarified that the membership is paid out of MTC’s budget using workforce money, not the school board’s general fund. Smallridge defended the investment, noting that the networking opportunities alone have provided a significant return on investment. He cited a recent connection made through the CEP that allowed MTC to purchase two semi-trucks at half price, a deal that “more than paid for a couple years’ worth of membership.”

Smallridge even offered a lighthearted negotiation to the board.

“My recommendation is to let you guys pay half of it and I’ll pay half,” Smallridge said, noting that the board is invited to most events and benefits from the CEP’s advocacy letters for state appropriations.

Board Chair Sarah James acknowledged the political weight of the partnership, specifically the CEP’s role in funding the district’s recent sales tax campaign.

“It’s not lost on me that the CEP solely funded our sales tax campaign to the tune of $220,000,” James said. “The only people who win elections generally speaking… are ones that are well funded.”

The board also urged McCormick to align the CEP’s goals with the district’s top legislative priority: improving school attendance. Board member Nancy Thrower noted that the attendance statute hasn’t been revisited since 1980 and is foundational to workforce development because “99% of life is showing up.”

McCormick committed to sitting down with each board member individually to ensure the relationship remains productive.

“We want to win, all of us do,” he said.

The city and county membership costs with the CEP are much higher than the school district’s cost.

Thirteen years ago, the Marion County Board of Commissioners entered into an agreement with the CEP to help with economic development. For contracts dated October 2014 through September 2017, the county paid the CEP $245,000 annually and for contracts October 2017 through September 2021, $285,000 annually. Since October 2021, the county has paid the CEP $300,000 annually.

The city of Ocala, similarly, has been under contract with the CEP for 13 years. During the years 2012 through 2014, the city paid the CEP $145,000 annually; from 2015 through 2018, the city paid the organization $165,000 annually. Since 2019, the annual contribution has been $190,000.