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Berlin board debates how to reach residents after local paper reduces distribution
Summary
The Community Engagement committee presented a district 'snapshot' and asked how to reach residents after the Berlin Citizen reduced coverage. Board members discussed options including a paid front-page in the Citizen, QR-coded print snapshots linking to more content, email sign-ups at events, and limiting social posts to informational platforms such as Instagram rather than open Facebook discussion.
The Berlin School District’s Community Engagement committee reported that reduced distribution by the Berlin Citizen has constrained the board’s ability to reach the broader community and presented a proposed print-and-digital 'snapshot' to convey key district information three times a year.
Tracy, speaking for the committee, outlined options: ask the Citizen to publish the snapshot (potentially on the front page or as a paid full‑page item), distribute printed copies at community touchpoints such as the Berlin Fair and senior center, and use a QR code on print materials to drive readers to a richer online version with hot links. The committee also proposed building an email signup through events and QR-code incentives to develop a districtwide distribution list.
Board members expressed differing views on social platforms. Several members favored Instagram for student and event photos and recommended avoiding an active public Facebook page because of moderation burdens and the potential for contentious comments. One member noted the district had previously created a Facebook account as an individual-managed profile to preserve continuity through turnover, but others said a formal, board-managed channel would be preferable if the board decides to resume social postings.
Jamie and others supported pursuing a hybrid approach: pay for a limited printed placement in the Citizen this year while pursuing an email-signup strategy and using a QR code to link to the full snapshot. Members suggested using school and booster-group reposts to extend reach rather than relying solely on a board-managed social account.
The board directed the committee to place the item on a future agenda for further consideration, including cost estimates for paid placement and a proposed process for collecting email addresses and distributing the snapshot.
