Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the District Communications topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District reports increased digital outreach; board certifies OE-9 communications monitoring report
Summary
District communications staff presented the Operational Expectation 9 monitoring report showing growth in social media reach, widespread ParentSquare coverage and expanding media partnerships. The board certified the report and approved related action items.
The Palm Springs Unified School District board on July 8 certified the district—s Operational Expectation 9 (communicating with the public) monitoring report after a presentation by communications coordinator Joan Boico and digital media specialist Marion Bouchaud.
Boico summarized outreach channels, noting the superintendent—s advisory committee, targeted community events, a long-running district podcast and pilot media partnerships with local TV. "You have the full report along with an added appendix providing more in-depth information on several components," Boico said, and she highlighted family-contact rates through ParentSquare and decreased inbound email volume due to expanded chatbot automation.
Bouchaud described social-media growth: Facebook followers rose about 9% year over year and Instagram followers rose more than 17%, with engagement metrics up 100% over the prior year on some platforms. "Anytime we celebrate our students, we post their faces... That's where we get a lot of engagement," Bouchaud said, describing bilingual video outreach and plans to continue superintendent video messages.
Why it matters: Communications staff reported that 99% of student families are contactable through ParentSquare and that the district has maintained above-average community flyer distribution through Peachjar. Trustees asked about the use of AI in content production; staff said AI is used as a drafting tool and that all content is edited to preserve district voice and accuracy.
Board action: The board certified OE-9 as compliant and approved the monitoring report and related consent items listed on the agenda.
Next step: Staff will continue to roll out a new website with individualized chatbots for school sites and to report on any further steady-state changes in outreach and engagement metrics.
