The Marion Central School District Board of Education conducted its first Community Forum on Thursday, Feb. 17.

Board members led a discussion on several topics, including virtual learning and community schooling, COVID-19, funding/grants and special interests, administrative functions, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), grades/classes and athletics for home schooled and private school students and masks.

About 25 people attended.

“I thought it went well,” Board President Michele Kuelling said. “The community has expressed a desire to communicate with the Board and this truly was a discussion. A regular Board of Education meeting is a business meeting, this was an opportunity for the public to have a two-way conversation with members of the Board.”

Kuelling said Board members were processing the information exchanged and that more forums or other methods beyond traditional Board meetings could be held in the future.

“We are always looking to improve our outreach and dialogue with the community,” she said.

The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Monday, March 7 in the Junior-Senior High School Library.

More information on Board members can be found at Board Members / Board Members (marioncs.org).