Considering how unproductive and sometimes acrimonious the meetings of the City School Committee for Collaborative Fiscal Concerns have been, it was encouraging that the full membership of Suffolk’s City Council and School Board had such a productive and positive meeting on Wednesday.

Whereas the City School Committee — comprising two members of each elected body — has been hamstrung by the shenanigans of School Board member Judith Brooks-Buck, Wednesday’s joint meeting of the full membership of the two bodies was marked by levelheadedness and comity.

The difference owes much to the professionalism of School Superintendent Deran Whitney, whose impeccable grace and bearing are sorely missed at those meetings he and his staff have been requested but unable to attend due to Brooks-Buck’s posturing.

On Wednesday, Whitney presented a three-year plan with a list of school needs, including improving teacher compensation, hiring additional teachers and school professionals and completing school projects.

It was an optimistic list — and one that relies heavily on full funding of Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s proposed budget, which would provide money for 12 new teaching positions. Whitney said he would like to use those positions to reduce class sizes, especially at the elementary level, and to get middle school reading specialists.

The friendly tone of Wednesday’s meeting was evident in the responses of council members. Councilman Mike Duman, for one, had encouraging words for the superintendent: “Hopefully at budget time, we will be able to accommodate your needs.”

The conciliatory tone was infectious. “I appreciate you all taking time to hear our vision, and hopefully it will come to fruition,” School Board member Lorraine Skeeter said at the end of the meeting.

It’s clear by now that the School Board needs a sustained commitment from City Council to meet the system’s educational needs. The positive tone of Wednesday’s meeting should go a long way toward making that sort of commitment a palatable option.