PSD Shares Communication Audit

As one of the six priority areas identified in its Strategic Plan, Poudre School District believes improving communications with all stakeholders – staff, parents, students, and the community – is more important than ever before.

The first goal in the strategic area of communications is to assess community and district communication needs and plan timely strategies to address needs. 

The district took a big step toward meeting the goal by releasing the results of an externally conducted communications audit (338 KB) to the Board of Education, Superintendent and Superintendent’s Cabinet members at a work session held May 1.

At the work session, the organizations conducting the audit – the Colorado Association of School Boards and SchoolHouse Communications – discussed findings and recommendations of an in-depth report they recently provided to the district.

The objective of the audit was to bring in outside experts to assess strengths and weaknesses in the way the school district communicates with stakeholders and pinpoint areas for improvement. 

“More than 120 persons attended focus group discussions and participated in interviews in February to provide their valuable insights about ways to improve communication inside and outside the district,” said Ellen Laubhan, PSD Communications Coordinator.  “We will add to this information by conducting a community and staff climate survey in the fall.  We plan to use the findings and recommendations to set priorities and improve our communications strategies and activities over time.”

The report (338 KB)   includes in-depth information on the audit process, what’s working in the area of communications, major challenges and recommendations, and the climate for communications in the district. 

For additional information, or to have a copy mailed to you, contact Ellen Laubhan at 970-490-3427, or e-mail elaubhan@psdschools.org  

The lead individuals conducting the audit were:

• Jennifer Reeve, Director of Programs at the Colorado Assn. of School Boards, who has conducted many communications audits in Colorado and around the nation, including one for Los Angeles public school system.  Jennifer is a former president of the National School Public Relations Assn. and a veteran community engagement trainer. 
  
• Lesley Dahlkemper is President of SchoolHouse Communications in Lakewood.  Her firm focuses on K-12 public education, working with leaders of national and statewide education organizations, and represents superintendents, school board members, and others. Her organization’s areas of expertise include strategic communications, focus group design and facilitation, media and communications training and project management.