Superintendent proposes quarterly community forums and continuing monthly board business meetings

Superintendent Connor asked the Sarasota County School Board on April 1 to keep the board’s monthly business-meeting schedule but to add periodic, in‑person “community connection” sessions across the county to improve two‑way engagement with families and stakeholders.

Connor said the district has trialed one business meeting per month for three months and that staff have been able to complete required business within the single monthly meeting. To address concerns about public accessibility and to create structured opportunities for dialogue, Connor proposed three 90‑minute district-hosted sessions in different county regions — North, Central and South — held initially in April, August and December. The forums would feature a brief district update on a focused topic (for example, budget items or school choice) followed by extended Q&A to allow board members and staff to engage directly with constituents.

Board members supported the general idea but asked for adjustments: several members urged that audience time be prioritized over presentation time, requested live-streaming of forums and suggested offering advanced question submission to speed the in-person Q&A. Board members also asked staff to add flexibility so extra sessions can be scheduled if urgent issues (for example, a contentious boundary change or late-breaking state legislation) arise.

Superintendent Connor said staff will return with a revised proposal that incorporates board feedback (streaming, more audience time, rotating locations, and the option to schedule additional sessions during the legislative cycle). He noted existing options for calling special meetings remain (the chair or superintendent may call a meeting, or three board members may request one). No formal schedule change was adopted at the April 1 session; staff will bring back a calendar proposal for board approval.