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Blackhawk SD board discusses communications strategy, weighing outreach costs
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Summary
Board members and staff discussed creating a communications strategy and annual report to showcase student achievements, noting other districts pay communications teams and debating costs; a staff member reported about 200 seniors attended a recent dinner-and-show preview.
The Blackhawk School District board discussed options for a districtwide communications strategy and an annual report at a regular meeting, with members and staff weighing costs and whether to use internal staff or hire external help. "We had about 200 senior citizens attend last night," a staff member said, describing a dinner-and-show preview in which about eight volunteer students assisted.
Board member Corinne said it is important to "showcase our district" and pointed to other districts that maintain paid communications teams. Corinne urged the board to explore options for promoting students and district programs and suggested tabling the item until a clearer strategy is developed.
Speakers debated costs tied to outreach and retention efforts. One board member said bringing a single student back from a cyber school had been discussed in prior conversations and estimated the cost at "10 to $12,000." Another participant referred to an additional "$5" figure in the same exchange; the transcript did not specify whether that meant $5, $5,000 or another amount.
A board member expressed concern that cyber charter schools and Lincoln Park were using taxpayer dollars for advertising aimed at the district's students and urged better marketing to highlight Blackhawk SD's strengths in Beaver County. "We do have a great story to tell," the board member said.
The board did not adopt a formal policy or vote on contracting for communications services during the meeting. Members agreed to continue discussing item 10.2 (the annual report/communications plan) and to develop a clearer plan before making spending decisions.
The meeting record does not show a final decision or appropriation related to communications; board members emphasized the need for a strategy that balances internal capacity and potential external vendors before moving forward.
