Sheldon ISD to pilot third‑party staff climate survey and customer‑service training

Sheldon ISD administration proposed shifting its educator climate survey to a third‑party vendor and launching customer‑service training aimed at frontline staff.

Emily, who introduced the item, said the district typically conducts its in‑house climate survey in December with 60–80% response rates. She recommended using K12 Insight as a contracted research partner to increase confidentiality, improve participation tracking and deliver qualitative and quantitative analysis; the full managed service was quoted at $16,000.

"With a third party source, we have that confidentiality aspect," Emily said, adding that the vendor would provide a dedicated research partner, participation monitoring and district‑level and campus‑level breakdowns. Staff proposed moving the instrument to a biannual cadence to allow time to implement and measure improvements.

On customer‑service training, administration proposed hiring Veronica Sofer, a consultant and former chief communications officer at Fort Bend ISD, to lead two full‑day programs split into four half‑days (one session in November and a January follow‑up). The training is targeted at frontline staff — receptionists, transportation dispatchers, child‑nutrition and attendance clerks and other operational employees — and would include role‑play and tailored material tied to the district’s CARE recognition program.

Trustees and staff discussed attendance logistics and whether make‑up sessions would be required for employees who miss a session due to illness; administration said the program would be offered twice to allow coverage and that some roles outside campus front offices (transportation, maintenance) would be included.

Next steps: staff said they will return with final pricing and scheduling as part of personnel and professional‑development planning for the year.