“The views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author, not those of Pine View School or Sarasota County Schools.”
From the White House to class office, the United States is a representative democracy, “a form of government which the people elect representatives to make decisions, policies, laws, etc,” according to Merriam Webster.
Or as President Abraham Lincoln stated in his Gettysburg Address, we are a “government of the people, by the people, [and] for the people.”
This is one of the many beautiful parts of our nation, and yet, this foundational value is being dismissed right before our eyes in Sarasota County.
At the school board meeting Nov. 18, 2025, the board voted 3-1, changing the meeting times for all of 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.
School board meetings are legally required to be open to the public. I believe this was an obvious attempt to sidestep this law and hinder people from voicing their concerns.
Naturally there was uproar from the people of Sarasota County as parents, students, and teachers — the very people board decisions impact — can no longer consistently attend the meetings.
Prior to officially approving the change for 2026, the October and November meetings were at 10:00 a.m. However, this did not prevent students from getting absent notes, parents from calling in sick, and retirees from coming out, all to air their grievances to the board. Though, this is not feasible long-term.
A vast majority of these people spoke on the downsides of this change, their disappointment in the board, and their hope that their representatives vote not to continue the time change.
Even those who benefit from this change stood up for those it hurt, understanding the importance of an evening meeting, such as parent Dylan Ramsey.
“I’m privileged to be able to attend this meeting at 10:00 in the morning without too much hassle…” Ramsey said at the meeting, “…[but] what about my fellow parents who aren’t able to leave the office or the work site? What about our teachers and our students, which all this is for?”
Despite the disapproval of the public, the board still passed the 10:00 a.m. time.
At the September meeting, board member Robyn Marinelli mentioned that she talked to “many parents” who preferred the change.
However, very few made their support known at any meeting where it was discussed. Meanwhile, the people who took the time to show up weren’t listened to.
During the November meeting, Marinelli declared that these meetings are “one-way” and not meant for collaboration, while claiming the audience was not showing respect.
While I agree that respect is important, the only outright departure from respect I witnessed as an attendee was when, in my opinion, she belittled the very people she is meant to be representing. Not to mention, her statement goes against the purpose of these meetings.
Our own Sarasota County School Board website states the public board meetings are “opportunities to address the Board.”
Most of Florida’s school districts realize the importance of teacher and student input. After visiting all 67 district websites, Sarasota is one of only five that doesn’t offer an afternoon meeting option.
At the November meeting, board member Bridget Ziegler spoke on this and said that she “does not necessarily look to [the districts with evening meetings], per se, as being the leaders in a lot of different areas.”
Yet, these 62 districts include some of Florida’s highest performing counties according to the Florida Department of Education, including Seminole, Lafayette, Nassau, Walton, Sumter, and others.
The three board members, Marinelli, Ziegler, and Karen Rose, who voted in favor of the 10:00 a.m. time, are all up for re-election in August.
(read more here) PHOTO BY TIMOTHY NESANELIS
Lincoln ends his speech leaving it up to us to make sure democracy “…shall not perish from the earth.”
If we want people who actually represent our values, the best solution is to research candidates and vote in August.