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Donovan Group presents audit, urges streamlined communications and stronger home–school partnerships
Summary
A Donovan Group audit presented to the Stafford County School Board recommends streamlining district messaging, modernizing the website and boosting family–school partnerships after surveys and interviews. The firm flagged internal capacity limits and recommended a 12‑month implementation roadmap.
Dr. Lorie Miller, a partner at the Donovan Group, told the Stafford County School Board on Sept. 9 that a communications audit of Stafford County Public Schools found substantial opportunities to reduce redundancy, modernize digital channels and boost family‑school engagement.
Miller said the review combined a website and social‑media audit, interviews with about 20 key communicators, focus groups and a staff/community survey that drew “about 1,800 plus individuals” and produced consistent themes. “Families and staff quit reading and quit engaging with communications if they feel overwhelmed,” she said, arguing the division should be more selective and strategic with frequency and channels.
The Donovan Group’s top recommendations were to: streamline outward messaging and reduce duplication; modernize and simplify the website’s navigation; strengthen the district social‑media strategy (consistent branding, more video and interactive campaigns); improve internal communications protocols so staff hear important information first; and develop family‑school partnership programming that helps families support students academically.
Board members pressed for details on next steps and costs. Miller said the committee had mapped a 12‑month rollout and offered the consulting team’s capacity to help implement the plan. She also acknowledged a staffing constraint in the division’s communications office, noting that crisis calls sometimes arrive simultaneously and that “we can take some of that lift off of your team.”
The district will make the full audit and the draft communications plan available via QR code and follow up with implementation assignments and timelines, Miller said. The board asked staff to circulate the committee roster and provide periodic progress updates as the plan proceeds to execution.
Ending: The board did not take a formal vote on the communications plan at the meeting; staff and the Donovan Group will return with implementation documents and a 12‑month roadmap in the coming weeks.
