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Community Connection Committee

“If it matters to our community, there should be a place to talk about it.”

 

The Community Connection Committee is a consistent, two-way forum where families, community members, staff, and local partners learn, listen, question, celebrate, and help shape the future of Phoenix CSD through authentic, shared decision-making.

Community Connection Committee | Phoenix Central School District

Phoenix Central School District · For Parents

Community Connection Committee

A consistent, two-way forum where families, community members, staff, and local partners learn, listen, question, celebrate, and help shape the future of Phoenix CSD through authentic, shared decision-making.

Get involved Meetings and minutes

“If it matters to our community, there should be a place to talk about it.”

The idea behind the committee

Key strategic focus areas

What the committee is working on

Our work aligns directly with Priority Area 2, Community Connection, of the district’s Blueprint for Excellence.

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Enhanced digital presence and communication

Streamlining district communications, improving website navigation, clarifying volunteer opportunities, and centralizing school closing notifications.

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Inclusive extracurricular opportunities

Exploring non-athletic clubs and enrichment programs (STEM, arts, hands-on building) at the middle school, welcoming homeschooled students, and partnering for safe youth spaces.

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Career readiness and community partnerships

Connecting students with job shadowing, local employer partnerships, hands-on technology courses, and expanded SAT and ACT prep.

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Student recognition and celebration

Expanding community-wide celebrations of character, effort, and growth alongside academic and athletic achievements.

Meetings and minutes

Meeting highlights and decisions

Latest meeting · October 26, 2026

Meeting summary

  • Follow-through on September feedbackAdditional District Office signage has been ordered. Website improvements are underway with CiTi’s public relations team, guided by community survey feedback. September’s minutes were posted online. The district is also exploring an after-school program at EJD with Oswego County Community Schools and a school-based health center with ConnextCare.
  • The Firebird FrameworkSuperintendent Lanigan presented the district’s plan for graduate readiness: four guiding questions and three PK–12 phases (Discover at MAM, Deepen at EJD, and Transform at JCB). 2026–27 is a planning and design year, with no changes to instruction, courses, grading, or graduation requirements.
  • What members asked aboutMentorship and community partners for students, whether new staff would be needed, and how digital portfolios, AI, student photos, and personal information will be protected. Any digital tool will be reviewed under Education Law § 2-d before it is selected or used.
  • CommunicationMembers shared frustration with changing ParentSquare messages about the Volney Street road closure. The district will review how it communicates information that changes, especially when outside agencies are involved.
  • DirectionNo formal votes were taken. The committee will narrow its four focus areas to three to five year-one priorities and continue meeting monthly.

Next steps from October 26

Action items from the October 26, 2026 meeting
Action itemResponsibleTimeline
Continue website improvements with CiTi’s public relations team using community feedbackSuperintendent’s Office and CiTiOngoing
Continue exploring an after-school program at EJD with Oswego County Community SchoolsDistrict AdministrationOngoing
Continue discussions with ConnextCare about a possible school-based health centerDistrict AdministrationOngoing
Look at community and industry partnerships for student mentorships, workplace experiences, and Capstone presentationsDistrict Administration2026–27 planning year
Evaluate staffing structures and ways to reallocate existing resources for career-connected learningDistrict Administration2026–27 planning year
Review digital platforms and technology for compliance with Education Law § 2-dDistrict AdministrationBefore any tool is adopted
Review ParentSquare practices to improve clarity and consistency when situations changeSuperintendent’s OfficeOngoing
Narrow the four focus areas into three to five year-one prioritiesAll committee membersNext meeting
Post the October 26 minutes on the district websiteSuperintendent’s OfficeComplete

Topics still under review from September

  • School meal participation and income forms
  • School closing and delay notifications
  • Traffic at EJD and on Volney Street
  • School calendar
  • Later start times for older students
  • SAT and ACT prep
  • Eighth graders experiencing JCB
  • Hands-on technology and building projects
  • Peer mentoring for new students
  • More middle school PE options
  • School Resource Officer coverage

The committee’s role: the Board of Education remains the district’s decision-making body. The committee gathers community perspectives, identifies common concerns, and brings forward ideas that help inform district planning.

Earlier meetings

September 21, 2026: inaugural meeting
  • Strategic alignmentEstablished the committee as a two-way, shared-decision-making forum supporting Priority Area 2 (Community Connection) of the district’s Blueprint for Excellence (2025–2027).
  • Strengths identifiedRecognized dedicated staff, a close family-like feel, whole-child support programs such as Erin’s Angels, and rich extracurricular options.
  • Growth focus areasHighlighted key community opportunities, including streamlined communications, expanded non-athletic middle school clubs, career readiness and job shadowing, and broader student recognition.
  • Key consensusApproved public publication of minutes, adopted a 7-part standing agenda format, and scheduled regular monthly meetings.

Official minutes, September 21, 2026 (PDF, 7 pages) (opens in a new tab)

Get involved

Questions, ideas, or want to join?

Reach out anytime.

Dr. Ryan Lanigan

Superintendent of Schools

315-695-1555

Mickey Haney

District Clerk

315-695-1573

District Office

116 Volney Street, Phoenix, NY 13135

(315) 695-1573

Learn more

Related pages

Pathway to Graduation

The Firebird Framework, CliftonStrengths, and career-connected learning.

See the pathway

Community Groups

Local organizations that partner with our schools.

See groups

Board of Education

Members, meetings, agendas, and policies.

Visit the Board page