Communications Update
BACKGROUND
During the weekend of February 17 and February 18, 2023, nearly 30 district parents, students, community members, teachers, administrators, and school board members participated in a strategic planning retreat facilitated by retired Illinois superintendent and author Jim Burgett. The group reviewed the previous strategic plan and worked together as both small groups and a large team to develop the following mission, belief statements, and strategies that will be implemented in the IVC School District. The Strategic Plan was formally approved by the IVC School Board at their February 28, 2023, School Board meeting.
One of the action plan committees of the Strategic Plan strives to provide an effective communication and collaboration system among students, staff, family, community, and public. This committee found a need to review and evaluate how the district currently communicates with its stakeholders.
Superintendent Dr. Chad Allison and Communications Coordinator Kylie Milliken worked with the NSPRA to bring the SCOPE Survey to District 321. The community-wide survey brought in over 400 responses from our parents, employees, and community members.
STAKEHOLDERS
The survey focuses on our three stakeholder groups: parents, employees, and community members.
Parents were the most responsive group out of the three. District 321's goal was to reach 290 parents, we received responses from 276. The high response number
Employees brought in the next highest number of responses at 113 with the goal being 154.
Lastly, the toughest group to reach for most school district is the community members. Those considered community members are those who are not parents or have no relation to students in our district and those who do not work in District 321. The goal was to reach 99 community members.
"The data gathered in the SCOPE Survey can then be put to immediate use to help your district share information more quickly and efficiently, and ultimately build greater understanding and support for your district’s strategic goals."
KEY FINDINGS
OVERALL (parents, employees, and community members combined)
Large percentages of our stakeholders described the district as average or above average (95% of parents, 100% of employees, 95% community members)
The Net Promoter Score ( NPS = promoters - detractors) was +33.
Our survey analytics representative stated that any positive number NPS is good for the district.
Email is the preferred method of communication. The second preferred method of communication is the district newsletter (321 Connection).
With the highest percentage of responses being from parents, the number is skewed towards their preferred method of communication.
4. Facebook is the most used social media platform for receiving information about District 321.
5. Our stakeholders feel the least informed about leader decisions, district goals and plans, our facilities, and district finances.
These items are posted to our district website, but our stakeholders may not seek them as often as the other groups of information listed in our survey.
6. Stakeholder involvement was rated "more valued" than stakeholder input/opinions.
The lower percentage for input/opinions feeling valued could reflect the district asking for information but not showing the results/impact of the input.
LOOKING AHEAD
Outside of the scaled variety question results (as shown in the SCOPE Scorecard), our stakeholders were able to be give input in their open-ended responses. There were five categories that a majority of the responses could be designated to. Those groups were improving websites, formatting school newsletters, possibility of print media, additions to the 321 Connection, and teaching our stakeholders how to use our communication channels.
We will work to improve existing communication and implement effective ways our schools communicate with you.
District 321 met or exceeded the national average as shown on the scorecard below.
The highest/lowest columns represent the highest or lowest score a school district has received for that question. The green highlighted boxes represent the average of +125 school districts and the white boxes represent +35 school districts.
Illinois Valley SCOPE Scorecard.pdf*NEW* 321 Social Hour
A need that was indirectly requested was that of a hands-on learning opportunity for our stakeholders in regards to our communication channels. The idea of a "social hour" was created to assist with this need. With participation from our stakeholders, we are hoping to host an hour each month that parents, employees, and community members could attend and improve their social media and technology skills.
This open house style social hour is designed to connect our stakeholders with others who are experiencing the same communication struggles and provide insightful help on receiving the desired information.
This will also allow our stakeholders to openly share input on how to better our communication efforts and channels.
We hope to provide this opportunity in the near future and start making positive improvements to our communication efforts.
Contact Information
Kylie Milliken | Communications Coordinator
309-274-5481
kmilliken@ivcschools.com