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Students and parents tell Sarasota board 10 a.m. meetings limit participation; board weighs rotating schedule and more town halls
Summary
Students and parents at a Booker High town hall pushed the board to restore evening meetings or a twice-monthly schedule so students can participate; board members defended the move to one monthly meeting for staff efficiency and said they are testing town halls and other access options.
Several students and parents told the board that moving regular board meetings to 10:00 a.m. has reduced student participation and community access. Avery Cole, a Booker student, said the earlier high-school start works for many students but that the 10 a.m. meeting time "can't be replaced" for students to discuss policy: "07:30 works great for many students, including myself," Cole said.
Board members explained why they moved to one formal monthly meeting: Superintendent Connor said the single meeting reduces back-end workload and allows staff to focus on execution and legal review. Board members and the superintendent said the change was intended to improve operational efficiency but acknowledged it reduced "face time" for some residents.
Board members discussed alternatives: rotating meeting times, adding evening town-hall sessions, or keeping the single monthly formal meeting but increasing community engagement via the insight sessions that mimic town halls. Several board members suggested quarterly or monthly town-hall-style meetings that would follow workshops and provide time-limited, focused public exchanges.
On student representation, board members said they will revisit the student-rep practice and explore election or designated-representative models used by other districts; Superintendent Connor said the matter would be picked up in December and with the student council in January.
