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

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

As a school administrator, social media can feel overwhelming. Or, really LOUD. As you try to utilize the space, you may feel as though you can’t catch your breath in the midst of everyone else’s thoughts, opinions and posts. Whether you are having a positive or negative experience on social media, The Impact Group knows how to break through the chaos and not only make sense of all the chatter, but use these conversations as a tool to better your district.

Topics: Social Media, School Districts, inbound marketing,

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

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

Levy season is notorious for sneaking up on schools and government entities. As we stated in our recent blog post, the worst time to begin communicating a levy is when it’s already on the ballot, as people need to see messages 11-15 times before the details really sink in, according to advertising expert Thomas Smith.

Topics: School Districts, Political, Education, Levy, Communications

The worst time to begin communicating the details of a new levy is when you go on the ballot.

If voters are suddenly made aware of a levy when it's only a few months before they cast their ballots, they’ll probably think your school district or organization is up to something! This leads to distrust and skepticism.

Topics: School Districts, Education, Levy, Communications

Election season always seems to be right around the corner. Even if you have months to prepare, developing a successful communication strategy to garner the support of voters for school bond issues and levies should be a year-round activity.

Topics: Strategic Planning, Marketing, School Districts, Political, Education, Levy, Bond Issue, Government