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District committee recommends ParentSquare two-way communication platform; pilot planned
Summary
A district committee recommended adopting ParentSquare as the district-wide two-way communication tool, proposing a spring pilot and a soft-launch paid onboarding with a July final decision and an approximate first-year cost of $15,000.
A staff-led committee recommended the Emmett Independent District adopt ParentSquare as a single two-way communication platform for teachers, parents, coaches and district groups.
The presenter told trustees the committee looked at multiple products, ran demonstrations and conducted peer checks with districts that use the products. After reviewing vendors and feedback from local teachers, parents and administrators, the group recommended ParentSquare for a pilot because of its two-way messaging, translation, virtual-phone/transcription features and the ability to create school- and team-level groups. Committee members said ParentSquare can integrate with Infinite Campus to import rosters and that it can be used for newsletters, conference signups and athletics groups.
The committee recommended a spring pilot limited to a few buildings and athletics through a paid onboarding trial. The vendor’s onboarding cost is $1,253; if the district proceeds in July the first-year recurring cost cited by the committee is about $10,149.30 for the platform plus additional virtual-phone charges; committee members described a roughly $15,000 ongoing annual cost after the first year. The committee proposed piloting ParentSquare at the middle school and at ShadowView Elementary (or portions of those schools) and trialing it with spring athletics.
Teachers, coaches and parent leaders who served on or consulted the committee told the board they favored a single platform to reduce fragmentation across multiple apps used by teams and teachers. Teacher Bonnie Cromquest said using one app “just makes sense” for parents and teachers. PTO president Sarah Johnson said a single app improves access for families with multiple children. District IT staff (Cynthia Amica) participated in vetting security and integration questions, the committee said.
Trustees asked about training and data security; presenters said ParentSquare provides online training, video resources and vendor support, and that district IT staff had reviewed security. Presenters said the vendor allows a short pilot period; if the district decided in July not to proceed, it could stop after the trial and pay only onboarding fees.
The committee asked for permission to proceed with a paid onboarding trial and a July decision. The board discussed the item and did not take a formal vote to commit to the long-term purchase during the meeting; presenters said they would return with pilot arrangements and a July decision point.
