news-record.com

BLOGS

The Chalkboard

Is GCS a good communicator? Is it worth $20 grand to find out?

The school district spent $19,183 this month on a public relations firm to audit its communication with the community and itself. A group from the National School Public Relations Association spent two days holding interview sessions with various groups including teachers, administrators, community members, parents and others.

The meetings were not public.

When asked about the purpose of the meetings, Nora Carr, Superintendent Mo Green’s chief of staff, said; “The purpose was to gain more insight into what’s working, what’s not, what can be improved re. communications at the school and district level.”

Carr notes the audit is part of Green’s strategic plan.

The National School Public Relations Association is a non-profit association of public relations experts who work with school systems "to advance education through responsible communication," according to their website.

So what do you think? $20 grand is a drop in the bucket, but it’s still a drop. Could it have been spent on something more important?
What’s communication with your school(s) been like? How about with the district or your school board member?

Permalink

Posted by J. Brian Ewing on Monday, December 21, 2009 at 5:18 pm

This article has been closed to new comments. Comments are generally closed after 14 days. However, comments may be closed earlier at the discretion of the News & Record.

Inappropriate content? Please report abuse.

Advertisement | Advertise with Us

Paul Daniels

December 22, 2009 - 6:32 pm EST

Brian:

You know the problems that I and others on the BOE have complained about when it comes to communication with staff. If BOE members can't get information from staff, how in the world will moms and dads get good information from staff. I have come to conclude that BOE and the rest of the world will get the information that staff wants us to have, which may or may not be the information we ask for, or even accurate.

I believe that honest communication is very simple. People deserve a straight answer to their questions. Its only when you try to spin everything that communication becomes complicated and expensive.

rightwingnemesis

December 24, 2009 - 9:37 am EST

Mr.Daniels is one of the best members of the board of education. He asks the tough questions and he follows up on the answers he receives. Because he gets the heavy huffing from Kris Cooke, when asking questions, that tells us, he's on the side of parents and teachers. Cooke tried early on to marginalize Mr. Daniels by trying to emasculate him publicly. It backfired, as she's the one who looks out of touch---and for her it is not just a look!

Mr. Daniels, thank you for all you do. I imagine your inability to communicate with staff comes from fellow board members (Cooke & Garrett) telling them to ignore you. Stay vigilant!

James45

December 23, 2009 - 10:21 am EST

Nothing on the communication side has changed with Mo it seems. I wonder if its deep rooted since many of the Grier staff are still here.

I will say though that I do like the setup with the Region Supers.

stafford5465

December 23, 2009 - 1:26 pm EST

Mo has failed on one promise he made. He pledged that the system would be more transparent. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Board hides way too much in secret sessions. Everything turns into a possible legal issue which Jill protects the public from knowing. The most outrageous example in the Oak Ridge building issue. Why did we spend over 1 million on the building. What was the problem? Will we ever know? If we don't know for sure, what is the likely cause? Notice how everyone has gone silent.

rightwingnemesis

December 24, 2009 - 9:46 am EST

Mr. or Ms. stafford5465,
Some of the board members are agog at Jill Wilson---and claim she is a nationally acclaimed "expert"! That is such a joke! She thinks she is an elected official, trying to move policy as she feels it should be moved. Fact is, no one elected her and she is part of the "problem"....board members will not turn her out because they see her socially and have known her for a long time. Her shelf life was over years ago. Wilson, Darlene Garrett, and Kris Cooke are the "wrecking crew" on the board. They think they possess some intelligence on issues they have no clue about---the teaching of children being one of them!

James45

December 23, 2009 - 11:49 pm EST

Exactly. Jill the lawyer is definitely a hangover from those Grier days. Cant somebody send her to Houston too?
Time for a clear out!!!

oscardad44

December 28, 2009 - 8:32 am EST

The amazing thing is that these forums where not public! Many of the forums had less than ten people who represented several cities.

Funny how the two representatives clearly made it know that they where not interested in names of attendees however amazing how the district office had sign in sheets in the room. For what I ask what is the purpose!

Brian the big question is how will they share the information with the community, parents and students!

How much did they spend on the public opion poll and why are they still using our local dollars out of state I know we could have had the same type of calling a few people to come to the table done locally.

What is amazing is that these forums and the town hall meetings are probably having the same amount of people attending? It is amazing how the district can have 5 people come for a town how meeting and then can act as if it was tons of attendees!

Just to check it off the list as another strategic plan item finalized!

As a staff member it was amazing to see how everyone has been told by the district not to talk negative about the school however during the forums staff looked as if they had seen a ghost and where scared to talk!!

Another big joke is school leadership teams and then never tell the parents or community when the meetings are or that they can attend or join what a joke! If the board does not openly tell staff what there expectations are then we will never continue to have progress.

I agree with Daniel regarding staff sharing information many times with the board imagine if you where a staff member needing information to be successful at your school or a parent trying to get information it is a big circle or excused that generally end up at cabinet meetings bashing the requestor of the information!