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NJ School Boards trainer urges clear, timely district communications and crisis plans
Summary
Melissa Del Rosso of the New Jersey School Boards Association advised the Saddle River board on internal and external communications: use a single authoritative web source, plan crisis communications, avoid debating on social media and keep messages concise and consistent.
Melissa Del Rosso, representing the New Jersey School Boards Association, gave a presentation to the Saddle River board on district communications best practices, stressing planning, clarity and consistent messaging.
Del Rosso told the board that district communications should aim to "inform all our stakeholders, involve different parties and serve as, basically, to get everybody involved" and recommended a communication plan that identifies channels (text for quick notices, email for details, face‑to‑face for discussion) and a single authoritative repository (the district website) for official updates. She warned against engaging in debates on social media and advised boards to prepare brief statements for the public when items will be handled in committee or a consent agenda.
Her talk covered crisis communications (explain when an item cannot be discussed publicly but confirm it is being handled), the importance of consistent board messaging and the value of written norms and committee processes to avoid surprises at the board table. She offered examples and follow‑up resources from the association for drafting statements, checklists and communication calendars.
Del Rosso invited questions and encouraged the board to use the materials she provided to audit and adjust district communication practices.
No formal board action was recorded on the training; the session included Q&A and an offer of ongoing JSBA support.
