Did You Know Our School Board Meeting Structure Has Changed?

Dr. Crystal London
4 days ago
3 min read

Beginning in January, the Zachary Community School Board moved from meeting once a month to meeting twice per month. This new structure is designed to strengthen transparency, improve communication, and give the community more time to engage with important governance decisions before they are finalized.

Under the two-meeting structure, items being considered for action—such as policy changes, calendar decisions, and other governance matters—are now discussed publicly and then held for approximately two weeks before the board takes formal action. This window creates space for community members to review information, ask questions, and share feedback.

How the New Two-Meeting Structure Works

The first meeting of the month operates as a Committee of the Whole. This means that topics previously discussed across multiple standing committees—such as Resources, Policy, Academics & Technology, and Parent & Community Engagement—are now discussed together in one public meeting.

Our first Committee of the Whole meeting under this new structure was held on January 6.

The second meeting of the month (January 20th) is the regular board meeting, where items previously discussed may return for formal consideration or action.

So, What Should You Be Doing With This Time?

This two-week period is your opportunity to stay informed and get involved before decisions are made.

Here are several items currently under discussion that you may want to review and provide feedback on:

1. 2026–2027 School Year Calendar

The board will be considering the proposed academic calendar for the 2026–2027 school year. This is a chance to review key dates, breaks, and instructional time and to share questions or concerns before a vote is taken.

2. Policy Updates Driven by State Law

Several policy updates are under consideration, many of which reflect recent legislative changes. These include policies related to:

Cameras in special education classrooms
Equal Opportunity Employment (including the addition of military status)
Student discipline, including use of restraint and corporal punishment
Equal Educational Opportunities (including non-discrimination language tied to military status)

While many of these changes are required by law, this period allows families and staff to better understand how the policies work in practice and how they may impact students and employees.

3. Teacher Salary Initiative — Restarting the Conversation

Following the close outcome of the November election, the board will be re-engaging the community on a revised teacher salary proposal. Based on prior feedback, future discussions will focus exclusively on teacher compensation, removing the infrastructure and technology components that were previously included.

If you still have questions, concerns, or ideas—or if you want to be part of the conversation earlier this time—now is the moment to speak up.

4. Beginning the Conversation Around AI in Schools

The board also discussed the need to begin drafting guidance and policy related to the use of AI by both students and educators. These conversations are still early, making this an ideal time for community members to ask questions and share perspectives.