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Board moves public input earlier, adds workshops to 2026 calendar after debate on access and staff burden
Summary
Trustees amended the 2026 board calendar to add workshops focused on governance and the strategic plan and explained a change to place a single public‑comment period early in meetings; some public commenters and trustees urged transparency and recommended taking meetings to other sites to improve access.
On Jan. 15 the Riverside Unified School District Board amended its 2026 meeting calendar to add workshops for governance training and strategic‑plan deep dives and discussed a recent change to place public comment earlier in the agenda.
Board President Hernandez Alexander said the intention of moving public input earlier is to "ensure all voices are heard before decisions are made" and to reduce the burden on families and staff who might otherwise wait until late in the evening. "The board will not begin deliberations or take action until the public comment period has concluded," the president said when announcing the change earlier in the meeting.
Some public commenters and members of the public expressed concern that the change was not clearly flagged on the agenda and asked for records about when the change was posted. A commenter who identifies as Sandy said the change reduced transparency if members of the public were unaware of the new timing and suggested the board provide clearer notice.
Trustees discussed workshop content and logistics, including taking some sessions 'on the road' to school sites or community centers to improve accessibility and reduce disruption at the adult‑school campus. Trustees also expressed a desire to avoid creating excessive staff workload by over‑scheduling meetings.
Trustee Kinnear moved and Trustee Lee seconded the calendar amendment; the motion carried. Board leadership said staff and the superintendent will work with trustees to develop workshop topics and schedules and will consider rotating locations to improve public access.
The board set the next regular meeting for Feb. 12, 2026.
