Meeting Agenda/Notes November 19, 2019

 

Agenda
November 19, 2019 Board Communications Committee Meeting
11:30 a.m. - Meeting Room A
Panorama Village Administrative Center 240 Villa Crest Drive
State College, PA 16801

 

  1. Call to Order

  2. Board Outreach/Community Engagement

  3. Public Comment
    Each individual will be limited to comments of three (3) minutes as time permits for items on this agenda or related to Board business.

  4. Future Agenda Items

  5. Adjournment

APPROVED
November 19, 2019 Board Communications Committee Meeting Minutes
11:30 a.m. - Meeting Room A
Panorama Village Administrative Center 240 Villa Crest Drive
State College, PA 16801

  1. Call to Order
    Mr. Leous called the called the Board Communications Committee meeting to order at 11:40 a.m.

    Committee Members Present: Lori Bedell, Amber Concepcion, Jim Leous, Laurel Zydney
    Committee Members Absent:
    Others Present: Nabil Mark, Bob O’Donnell, Chris Rosenblum, Lynn Tressler
    Guests: Gus Colangelo, Tami Nowacki

    A copy of all materials distributed to board members for discussion is included with the official notes, unless otherwise indicated.

    Prior to agenda discussions, committee members expressed their deep appreciation to Mr. Rosenblum and Mr. Mark for the hard work and dedication with the elementary and high school open houses.

  2. Board Outreach/Community Engagement
    Discussion surrounded recommendations and ideas for board outreach and community engagement. It was suggested that the board look at non-traditional ways to reach voters who do not have kids in the district. Different forms of media attract different forms of demographics. Traditional print media should be a consideration for the generation that is on the cusp of the social media movement. A one-page flyer mailed with the tax bill with highlights about the district may be an opportunity to share information. Topics could include student achievement, academic and athletic successes, and small story vignette. A recommendation was made to ask the local townships for a block in their newsletter that would entail more timely messages. A suggestion was made to have a one-stop shop for newsfeed information. Mr. Mark confirmed that the SCASD ap has information on all of the individual schools--13,000 people have downloaded it.

    The state of education could be a focus area for Board Presidents with schools around the county. A targeted approach to communicate district highlights to local groups was suggested (i.e., invite local chefs to visit the new culinary arts space and local builders to see the construction). Other focus groups included major employers, parents of preschoolers, and retirement communities. Meet n’ greets where the Board visit constituents is more proactive than expecting constituents to come to them. Inviting groups to tour SCASD facilities is also a good way to gain exposure.

    Next steps: Dr. O’Donnell will share a list of community events that he is involved with that would get the board exposure. Mr. Leous will work with Ms. Tressler to schedule a Coffee with the Community at Good Day Cafe.

  3. Public Comment
    Mr. Leous noted each individual would be limited to comments of three minutes as time permits for items on this agenda or related to Board business.

    Ms. Tami Nowacki, Spring Creek parent, discussed the following:
    • If the board wants to reach parents during their community outreach, the Schlow Library and YMCA would be good locations.
    • She would have liked the playground plans in hardcopy format with a comment section that allows for miscellaneous feedback.
    • She recommended the teacher newsletter for showcasing important topics.
    • Houserville is still on the website.
    • She would like to see student government at the elementary level.
    • Committee members recommended talking to the principal about issues at the school level.

  4. Future Agenda Items
    Mr. Leous reviewed a list of upcoming agenda items: Recognitions, student voice, annual report, and a calendar of availability of when the Board could visit community areas.

  5. Adjournment
    Mr. Leous adjourned the Communications Committee meeting at 1:06 p.m.

Submitted by,


Lynn Tressler
Board Secretary