Standard 6
Communication with the community stakeholders is carried on in many ways. The school is a member of the Plainview Chamber of Commerce and the administration regularly attends chamber meetings. This exposure to local business people provides a great opportunity for conversations about the school and its programs, as well as how the school and the community can work together. Also, there are teachers and administrators who are members of the Plainview Community Club. Their representation in that group provides a tie to community activities and projects that are being planned and conducted. Administrators regularly visit the “coffee” at one of the local establishments and utilize that opportunity to engage in conversations with local business people about the school, its programs and its role in community life.
The administration maintains an “open door” policy and is always willing to sit down with parents and community members to discuss school concerns. Also, the board of education offers a public comment time at each regularly scheduled meeting of the board. At that time members of the public are allowed to bring up topics that are not included on the regular agenda, or express their thoughts on agenda items. Appropriate hearings are held annually for such items as the budget, student fees, etc.
Each year, usually in conjunction with the “school opening” information published in the local newspaper, the district publishes its Annual Report to the Patrons. This report includes information on school demographics, student performance, and a summary of the district’s financial status. The minutes from each board meeting are posted on the school’s website and published in the local newspaper. A superintendent’s report, elementary principal’s report, and secondary principal’s report is given at each regular board meeting. During these opportunities the school administrators update the board on the various programs and activities that are occurring. Information is provided to the board on student test results, etc. at this time also.
Parents have immediate access to their children’s grades through Power School, which is the district’s Student Management System. Teachers are encouraged to contact parents by telephone and/or email to update them on their student’s progress – both positive and negative. Perceptual data gathered from parent surveys indicates that we have been effective in the area of communication. With the district’s mission statement, motto, and school improvement goal posted on the district’s website, the public can see that our focus is on student learning.