Dunkirk City Schools could be charting a new path beginning later this afternoon. Its Board of Education will meet at 5:15 p.m. via Zoom when a decision on a new model could be approved.

At the last meeting in April, school board members seemed to be all on board with a plan that would dramatically change how the district is set up. Under the model, three early childhood centers would be created and include prekindergarten to grade two in three of the four existing elementary sites. There would be one intermediate elementary school in the current middle school building for grades three to six and one middle and high school for grades seven to 12 in the facility at Sixth Street.

“We started this journey looking to reduce costs and increase revenue,” said David Damico, school board president. “At least for me, it quickly turned into basically how we’re taking care of our children. … In these plans, I keep seeing what’s good for children.”

This project does not need the approval of a community, unlike capital projects and budget plans. As of Monday afternoon, there was no agenda posted by the district on its web site as to what business will take place.

Since this process has occurred during the pandemic, community feedback may not have been as strong since school board meetings are happening virtually. But, if the plan is approved, reality of these sweeping changes could hit home as soon as tonight for some 2,000 students.