After debate on public access, Suffolk school board keeps 7PM business meeting and makes second monthly meeting a 5PM work session

Suffolk Public Schools board members debated meeting cadence and start times during their Jan. 6 organizational meeting, ultimately voting to keep the regular business meeting at 7 p.m. and to hold a second, monthly work session at 5 p.m.

Several members argued that moving the first meeting earlier would reduce public access. "Moving it earlier is counterproductive... It's smack dead in the work day and the commute time," Board member Tyrone Riddick said, urging the board to preserve a 7 p.m. start to allow working residents to attend. Others noted staff benefits to an earlier work-session start and proposed cancelling meetings when there is no substantive business to consider.

Attorney Waldo clarified that the board itself sets meeting dates and times, while the chair and superintendent develop the agenda layout for each meeting. The final motion, made by Riddick and seconded by Vice Chair Howell, set the first meeting as the business meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. and the second meeting as a 5:00 p.m. work session; members also directed the clerk's office to retain flexibility to cancel meetings when unnecessary. The motion passed by roll call with unanimous support.

Board members also discussed the scheduling of student performances and good news reports; the board indicated those recognitions would remain part of the business meeting unless otherwise directed. The board directed the clerk to publish the adopted 2026 meeting calendar and to post notice of the rescheduled January meeting.