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South Fayette officials present ParentSquare proposal to replace multiple communication tools
Summary
District staff described a plan to adopt ParentSquare as a single, districtwide communication platform, saying it would replace SchoolMessenger, PowerSchool document delivery for report cards, and institutionalize Remind through ParentSquare’s acquisition. The item is on the business agenda for board action next week.
South Fayette Township School District staff on Monday presented a plan to adopt ParentSquare as the district’s primary family and staff communication platform, saying the service would consolidate multiple existing tools and add features such as message translation and family opt-in preferences.
Dr. Deichler, presenting the proposal, told the board the district is proposing ParentSquare as part of the 2025–26 technology budget. She said ParentSquare would “replace everything on this slide to the right, as one platform,” listing PowerSchool document delivery, SchoolMessenger notifications and separate building-level scheduling tools as examples of systems the district would stop using if the board approves the contract.
District staff said the platform would allow families to choose how they receive notifications (telephone, email or text), provide instant translation for messages, offer more flexible newsletter and payment functions, and permit families to “opt into groups,” such as athletics, so they receive only the communications they want. Dr. Deichler also said ParentSquare’s institutional license would cover Remind after ParentSquare’s acquisition of that product.
Staff emphasized a planned, phased rollout to avoid overwhelming families and building administrators. They also said the district expects analytics linking ParentSquare to district social accounts would let the communications office track engagement and adjust practices.
The contract length listed on the district’s business agenda is a three‑year agreement; the packet notes the item will be presented for board action at next week’s meeting. Dr. Miller summarized the business‑office listing later in the meeting, saying Item 1 on the board packet is the three‑year ParentSquare agreement and that the district had discussed the service earlier in the evening.
No contract price was presented during the public portion of the presentation; staff said cost details are part of the business agenda materials that will be considered next week. Board members asked no formal questions that changed the scope of the proposal during the presentation. The item remains scheduled for formal board action at a future meeting.
