Hampton City Schools reports expanded digital reach, stronger family communications
6438739 · October 2, 2025
Summary
Executive director Kelly Goral and her communications team told the school board the division expanded digital outreach last year, citing growth in web briefs, social reach, ParentSquare engagement, and targeted print and media support.
Kelly Goral, executive director of public relations and marketing for Hampton City Schools, told the school board on Oct. 1 that the division has expanded its communications footprint and digital engagement.
Goral told the board the division published 219 web briefs this school year and distributes a weekly email extra that reaches nearly 24,000 subscribers. She said the division's social content reached more than 471,000 people during the 2024–25 school year and recorded more than 119,000 interactions on posts. Goral described ParentSquare as the division's primary family communications tool, saying 99% of families are connected via phone, email, or text and that more than half of families now use the ParentSquare app.
Goral outlined other parts of the communications operation: Peachjar distributes e-flyers to families and, she said, moving away from paper since 2018 saved more than 3,000,000 sheets of paper last year. The print shop completed more than 1,560 jobs this year, and the graphics and PEG TV teams support campaign work, live productions and the HCS Talks podcast. Goral highlighted that the podcast is now in its third season with nearly 90 episodes and more than 9,000 downloads.
Board members praised the PR team. Board member Cherry said she felt “like I’m watching my baby graduate college” and praised the team’s long service and recent innovations. Board member Samuels thanked print shop coordinator Marty Wood for cost savings and partnership with city programs. Vice Chair Jackson Fonjan and others commended the comprehensiveness of the communications guide and award recognition the division received at regional and national levels.
Goral closed by noting the communications guide placed at board members’ settings and invited questions; she offered staff availability for follow-up.
The presentation supplied the board with specific usage and engagement metrics and described procedures for media requests and on‑site media coverage that route requests through the PR and marketing office.
Looking ahead, Goral said the division will continue to emphasize consistent branding, monthly website updates for schools and continued amplification of school-generated stories across approved platforms.
