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Communications office outlines reach: graduations streamed to 30 countries, social followings and partnership growth
Summary
Richland 2's communications team reported increased digital reach, event streaming and partnership growth, highlighting metrics from graduation streaming, social media engagement, billboard outreach and community partnerships.
Darcy Rush, senior chief of communications and strategic partnerships, delivered a district communications impact report on May 27 that highlighted audience growth, event streaming, and partnerships.
Rush said the communications office streamed district commencement ceremonies to 30 countries with roughly 9,700 online viewers and emphasized the department's role in supporting nearly 30,000 students and 4,000 employees across more than 40 schools and centers. "We proudly serve as storytellers for the district," Rush said at the start of her presentation.
Key metrics: the office reported substantial year-over-year growth across platforms (Facebook engagement up 43 percent, Instagram follower growth of about 31 percent), broad reach for select videos (an Instagram video explaining inclement-weather decisions drew 24,000 views), and large-scale direct messaging through ParentSquare (1,551,262 direct messages between teachers and parents this year). Rush also described a district billboard program that placed 447 boards across the region to promote magnet programs, school choice and recruitment.
Community partnerships: Rush said the Business and Education Alliance grew to 373 partners and that the district's ministry partnerships (NERMA) comprise 83 faith-based organizations that support food, housing and teacher assistance programs. The communications office also described early-care initiatives such as R2 Ready to Read and a new Foundations for Learning program serving ages birth to 3 in partnership with Reach Out and Read SC.
Why it matters: district leaders said better-targeted communications improve parent engagement, clarify operational procedures such as inclement-weather decision-making and support recruitment and community fundraising. Board members praised the team for increasing transparent touchpoints across a wide audience.
Next steps: communications will continue to roll out school-level webpages, maintain social outreach and support district campaigns; staff said they will bring legacy storytelling and continued partnership development into the next school year.
