NSPRA's Communication Audit Report - Harford County Public ...

Current image of the district
■ Not good.
■ Depends on what’s going on at the time – North Harford construction or redistricting is
negative.
■ Mixed.
■ Kids are fine with redistricting; it is parents and school status that cause problems.
Logo
■ Outdated.
■ Don’t like it.
■ Says “No books.”
Best source of news and information
■ The Aegis.
■ HCPS web site and SharePoint (if not locked out).
■ E-mail.
■ Bosses.
Ways district communicates well
■ Televises Board meetings.
■ ALERTNOW.
■ On hot issues, district provides progress reports at community meetings.
■ Regional meetings on redistricting.
Communication improvements needed
■ Maybe SOS shouldn’t be so limited (some issues are sensitive though and everyone doesn’t
need to know) senior staff, directors, nurses, transportation.
■ Interdepartmental – doesn’t seem to be a good flow between HR, payroll and other
departments. Need to figure out a process for interviewing and hiring.
■ Never can get a call back from HR.
■ Issue: central office phones roll to messages.
Information desired
■ Alerts about incidents that happen during the day so they hear before they get home.
Some get SOS. If there’s a bomb threat, principals are supposed to send a letter home.
Effectiveness of publications
■ Harford Schools newspaper.
• Waste, it’s on web site, costs a lot. People throw them in the trash.
• Some read it, some don’t. Not everyone gets it. Both kids bring it home.
• It’s good news therapy (counteracts calls).
■ Inside Track
• Like it, but what’s supposed to be a priority is not always their priority.
• Like to see who is retiring.
NSPRA Communication Audit 73 Harford County Public Schools