District hires community relations coordinator and rolls out ParentSquare; app adoption at 47%

The board received a communications and community‑relations update introducing Nick Jakes as the district’s new community relations coordinator and describing the early rollout of ParentSquare, the district’s parent communications app.

"When I walk into a building, I hope people are, like, oh, Nick's here," Jakes said, describing his focus on storytelling, visibility and transparency as he begins posting video and social content about staff and students.

Nut graf: Administrators said the communications role will tie strategic priorities — equity, portrait of a graduate and community engagement — to regular storytelling and practical tools such as ParentSquare, which district staff said had been downloaded by about 47% of parent accounts in the first weeks of rollout.

Key details: The presentation highlighted several items the communications team has started or plans to implement.

- Staff and student stories: Jakes showed short videos and social posts that capture first‑day highlights, new‑teacher introductions and features with district staff; administrators said these posts received strong engagement.

- ParentSquare adoption and features: The district reported about 47% of parent accounts had adopted or downloaded the ParentSquare app in the first weeks. Officials described ParentSquare features including direct messaging, automated calls, push notifications, links and the ability to handle permission slips and emergency alerts. Staff said messages will still reach parents via email and phone if they do not install the app.

- Target audiences and cadence: Communications staff plan regular newsletters for families and employees and will coordinate with multilingual and high‑school communications staff to align messages for families who have children at multiple district schools. The team also plans outreach to non‑parent taxpayers and community residents who pay district taxes but do not have students currently in the schools.

- Bus and emergency alerts: Technology and transportation staff said ParentSquare is being used for immediate bus‑delay messages and emergency alerts; administrators acknowledged the first day generated multiple late‑bus alerts and said they will refine routing and notification logic.

Ending: Board members praised the communications work and encouraged continued outreach to a broad community beyond families with young children. Administrators said they will expand resources on the district website, use newsletters and social media and encourage broader ParentSquare adoption so more families receive timely school news and emergency notices.