Board members press for broader community input on school right-sizing schedule

Several board members raised concerns during the June 11 meeting that planned community input sessions on school closings and consolidations would not provide meaningful access for working families.

Board members said one input day scheduled for a weekday afternoon would exclude parents who work daytime shifts and urged staff to add more sessions at varied times, including evenings and weekends. One member said Booker T. families and other working-class families "cannot make 1 to 3" meetings and asked that additional dates be scheduled so those families could participate. The interim superintendent and staff agreed to discuss options and to consult the acting superintendent and community-engagement staff on adding dates and formats (including remote options) to broaden participation.

Members noted the matter involves a long-term, generational issue of right-sizing schools and stressed the need for robust public engagement before board decisions are finalized. No formal action or vote was taken; board members asked staff to return with additional outreach options and dates for community input.