During a recent school board meeting in Newburgh, a public comment highlighted the proposed change of meeting times from 6 PM to 7 PM, which has sparked considerable discussion among stakeholders. Drew Cartagena, the sole speaker during the public comment period, argued that the adjustment is a common-sense move aimed at increasing parental engagement and participation in school board activities.

Cartagena emphasized that the current 6 PM schedule poses challenges for many working parents, including two board members, who may struggle to arrive on time after their jobs. He noted that a later start time would allow families more opportunity to attend meetings, thereby fostering greater involvement in the educational process.

In his remarks, Cartagena presented data comparing Newburgh's meeting times and graduation rates with those of surrounding school districts. He found that among the 17 school districts in Orange County, half hold their meetings at 7 PM, and those districts tend to have higher graduation rates, with seven out of eight achieving rates over 90%. In contrast, Newburgh's graduation rate stands at a concerning 72%, significantly below the county average of 88%.

Cartagena urged the board to consider the potential benefits of the time change, suggesting that it could lead to improved engagement from parents and ultimately enhance student outcomes. He pointed out that many local government bodies, including the Newburgh City Council and town boards, also meet at 7 PM, indicating a broader trend that the school board could follow.

The meeting concluded with no additional public comments, but the discussion around the timing of school board meetings remains a critical topic as the board considers how best to engage its community and address the pressing issue of graduation rates.