As the new school year approaches, many school districts find themselves facing the challenging task of communicating about finances and the potential impact on taxpayers. These communications typically involve topics such as the five-year forecast, the potential need for facilities or other capital improvements, and funding challenges in light of the expiration of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs (ESSER) funding, often resulting in a levy being placed on the ballot for taxpayer vote.

Topics: School Districts, Education, Levy, Communications, school communications

In the dynamic and fast-paced world of education, effective communication is the cornerstone of building strong, engaged communities. For school districts, a well-crafted newsletter serves as a conduit for sharing important updates, celebrating successes, and fostering a sense of belonging among students, parents, staff, and stakeholders.

Topics: Engagement, Content Marketing, Branding, School Districts, Education, Communications, school communications, Strategic Communications

In our recent Digital Leadership Academy Webinar, we explored the dynamic interplay between student voices and school leadership. Let’s dive into the insights shared, including why student voices matter, how to involve them in school decisions, and tips to better capture their perspectives.

Topics: Engagement, School Districts, Communications

Education in the 21st century has experienced a technological revolution, changing the way we reach our audience and communicate with them. The world has gone digital, and social media has become a tool for communication, student and staff engagement and collaboration. As a school superintendent, it's important to understand the best practices for using social media effectively. In this post, we've gathered tips on how to engage with your audience, share your school district's highlights, and promote your most important priorities.

Topics: Social Media, Engagement, Communications, school communications

As a leader, it's inevitable that you'll find yourself in challenging conversations from time to time. These can involve delivering tough news, giving constructive feedback, or addressing problematic behavior. But no matter the situation, it's crucial to approach these conversations with empathy and a calm and composed tone.

Topics: Work Environment, Personal Growth, Communications

For those who have been involved with a strategic plan of any kind before, the process makes sense and can even be exciting. For those who are hearing about it for the first time, it might be difficult to understand exactly what the end goal is, but a strategic plan can help a school district find continued success because it lays out goals and a timeline that you strive to achieve.

 

As a district leader, you know how important it is to have big ideas, goals and objectives steering your school buildings through the academic year. Here at The Impact Group, we love the research stage of strategic planning. It allows us to dig in and really understand not only what makes a school district tick but what we can contribute to help a district thrive even more.

Topics: Strategic Planning, School Districts, Education, Communications, school communications

Content marketing can never be successful if you don’t have a plan for what you hope to achieve. Is your school district engaging with parents through social media on a regular – if not daily – basis? How do you keep in touch with community members who aren’t a part of your district through social media?

Topics: Social Media, Engagement, Content Marketing Plan, Outsourcing, School Districts, Education, Communications

American literary giant Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “A great man is always willing to be little.” I couldn’t agree more with Emerson’s simple and focused assertion that the application of a humble attitude is both a necessary and foundational character trait for those who are charged with leading others.

Topics: Finding Audiences, Engagement, Education, Levy, Government, Communications

Ever since the popularization of social media began taking hold in the early 2000s, public relations teams have been forced to adapt to the three-headed giant of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Topics: Online Content, Social Media, Crisis Communications, Press Releases, Communications

There is strength in having a clear direction. You may be familiar with the popular saying, “You can have the top airplane or the most advanced ship, but without a knowledgeable pilot or captain, you won’t reach your destination.” Clarity holds power. Having a vision and seeing it through to realization is crucial, especially in strategic planning.

Topics: Strategic Planning, Business Development, Surveys, School Districts, Government, Communications