Suffolk School Board discusses forensic audit and STEM Academy funding opportunities

The Suffolk City Public School Board convened on April 10, 2025, to discuss various topics impacting the local education system and community engagement. The meeting began with public comments, where a resident emphasized the importance of financial transparency and accountability in the school budget. The speaker urged the board to support a forensic audit to ensure that taxpayer money is effectively utilized for the benefit of students and the community.

Following the public comments, board members engaged in discussions reflecting on the meeting's collaborative spirit. Board member Slingluff expressed gratitude towards fellow board members, staff, and community members for their involvement and communication, highlighting the importance of community engagement in the decision-making process.

Board member Riddick took the opportunity to thank the citizens of the Historic Suffolk Bureau for their ongoing support. He praised the establishment of the STEM Academy at Booker T. Washington Elementary School, noting its significance in fulfilling a vision held by a community leader, Patricia Montgomery. Riddick also raised concerns about a missed opportunity for an indoor pool project and proposed that the board direct the superintendent to explore costs associated with adding a pool to ongoing construction projects at local schools.

Additionally, Riddick suggested utilizing high school students as bus aides to address staffing shortages, recognizing this as an untapped resource within the student population.

The meeting concluded with a sense of shared purpose among board members, emphasizing their commitment to the success of Suffolk Public Schools and the importance of community involvement in shaping educational outcomes. The board plans to follow up on the discussed proposals in future meetings, ensuring that community voices continue to be heard in the decision-making process.