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IU review finds high trust in UCFSD communications; board opens broader social‑media and meeting‑location review
Summary
A Chester County Intermediate Unit review found high satisfaction and trust among staff and families for district communications; the board discussed a one‑year pilot to hold some meetings at schools and began a guarded conversation on social‑media moderation and opt‑out timing for FERPA/photo consent. Directors asked administration to return with communications‑strategy details and social‑media moderation options.
Unionville‑Chadds Ford’s communications team on March 9 summarized a Chester County Intermediate Unit (IU) communications‑program review and discussed policy implications for social media and meeting locations.
Communications director Miss LaRoya said the IU found strong performance in district branding and high trust: 73% of staff and 79% of families reported being satisfied or very satisfied with district communication, and more than 80% of staff and families said they would recommend UCFSD. The review recommended the district be more present where its broader resident audience is and suggested strategic improvements to reach non‑family community members.
Board members debated two practical responses. First, administrators proposed a one‑year pilot of holding selected board meetings in different schools to increase visibility in the community; some directors who had reservations about losing the tradition of central board meetings agreed to pilot the change provided the administration collects data on engagement and any lost benefits.
Second, the board initiated a policy‑level conversation about social‑media moderation. Mister Allen asked whether comments on district posts should be left open (a limited public forum) or whether the district should move to a model that prohibits public comments and relies on other engagement channels. Board members raised concerns about moderation workload, student privacy in posted photos, and synchronizing any policy changes with the communications strategic plan and back‑to‑school opt‑out forms. Administration said opt‑out forms and FERPA language will need to be in place by June for the back‑to‑school cycle.
What’s next: administration will provide a draft communications strategic plan in April, return a draft for board review in May, and provide additional information about social‑media moderation and the mechanics/timing of any meeting‑location pilot.
