Board weighs shifting meeting nights to expand public access, agrees to gather data before changing calendar

During new business on March 5, the WEST IRONDEQUOIT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Education discussed proposed changes to its meeting calendar and did not vote to change meeting nights.

Administration presented options including a shift from Thursday to Tuesday evenings and a model that would consolidate business into one formal meeting and use workshop-style sessions for deeper discussion. Board members raised several concerns and benefits: some said moving to Tuesdays could increase public access and encourage more parents to consider board service, while others noted that Thursdays reduce conflicts with weekday events and allow presenters more recovery time after a meeting.

Members also flagged operational impacts: changing meeting nights alters the schedule for agenda setting, the timing for questions from board members and staff response windows, and potential conflicts with town or other public meetings. Several board members urged gathering quantifiable data — counts of district and community events on Tuesdays versus Thursdays, and a survey of community preferences — before making a change for next year.

After extended discussion the board directed staff to assemble comparative data and options rather than take immediate action. Administration said it would present calendar drafts and the additional information requested in a coming meeting.

Supporting quote: One board member said moving meeting nights could open “more opportunity for other parents in the district to be considered to consider board service,” while another noted concerns about compressed review timelines for board questions and staff responses.

What’s next: Administration will return with data and drafts for board consideration; no calendar changes were adopted at the March 5 meeting.