Communications lead reports big social‑media growth, weekly 'Spartan Snapshot' and planned FERPA form update

Sierra Fazola, the district communications specialist, briefed the board June 10 on changes to the district’s communications approach and audience metrics.

Fazola said the district replaced prior biweekly middle/high curriculum updates with a weekly 'Spartan Snapshot' for families (K–12) that goes out Thursdays at 6 p.m., and that the average readership has been about 570 people each week. On social media, Fazola reported Instagram followers grew roughly 170 to about 719 and Facebook followers rose by about 4,000 to roughly 7,000 — gains the communications team attributed in part to viral snow‑day videos.

"In January, the video we posted, it got 23,000 likes, 2,400 shares, and it reached over 1,500,000 unique people," Fazola said. She noted the district will continue the Spartan Snapshot and expand its digital calendar, arts and culture features, and partnerships (including a new permanent placement on Porcupine Soup’s website).

Fazola said she will work over the summer with Superintendent Bennett and the district attorney to revise the FERPA consent/opt‑out form to make privacy rights clearer for families as the district increases its online presence. She also reported the communications team has drafted templates for more than 30 emergency scenarios (from on‑campus wildlife to power outages) to speed crisis messaging.

Board members thanked Fazola and asked questions about access to safety videos; Fazola said the initial plan is to make safety training videos public after consulting with legal counsel to balance transparency with security concerns.