Video: Your Local Policy Take
Why School District Tracking Needs to Be Part of Your Local Policy Strategy
Want to learn how you can start tracking school districts?
Recently, high-profile culture-war battles have been waged in school districts on topics once reserved for Washington DC or State Capitals.
This, coupled with the everyday activities of a school district – from setting district goals, to community events, to the procurement of products and services – more and more organizations are waking up to the reality that ignoring school district activity is a missed opportunity to advance your organizational goals and interests.
Specifically, there are six examples of why you need to add school districts to your local policy tracking strategy.
School districts are setting more policies.
While the day-to-day operations of a district are at the discretion of the Superintendent, school boards determine many of the more macro policies of a district. Throughout the pandemic, we have seen this to mean a decision on virtual or in-person learning, mask policy, etc.
But many other – often hot-button issues – are being debated at schools, as well. Recently, issues surrounding transgender students in sports have highlighted the growing trend of social issues becoming more and more prevalent in school districts.
Mr. Wilcox states that this discussion a upcoming policy being drafted by Ms. Typhanie Jackson regarding Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming in regard to this and how possibly PowerSchool can be utilized to assist this.
New Haven, CT | School District | March 28, 2022
School Districts Decide the Curriculum
Just as battles are being waged surrounding district policy, there have also been high-profile examples of curriculum disagreements. Recently, this has been displayed in the form of “critical race theory” and a ban on certain textbooks and other materials.
But a school's curriculum can have massive economic development implications on a community, as well. As a hypothetical example, if STEM-related classes are not adopted as a curriculum, it makes it difficult for certain employers, like technology companies, to consider the area as a place to do business because of hesitancy that the area would not be able to produce a long-term, STEM-educated workforce.
And cuts to “shop” classes not only limits students' exposure to these trades but also to the development of a skilled workforce.
We haven’t even touched upon reductions to arts programs as well.
Teachers are currently piloting during marking period three, at the end of this marking period they will provide their evaluations of the program, and students will surveyed on their own experience with the curriculum.
Indian River, DE | School District | March 14, 2022
School District Goals Align with Organizational Goals
Not all decisions made by school districts are culture war issues.
If you are a company that runs ballot initiatives, for example, you would be wise to pay attention to upcoming levy campaigns a district may run. In turn, if you are a construction firm, you could potentially benefit from a levy or strategic plan that includes the construction or renovation of new or existing buildings.
School Districts and Superintendents Are Important Local Stakeholders
Superintendents have enormous sway over the day-to-day operations of the school district – identifying needs and policies, developing regulations, and providing instructional leadership.
In the case of a Superintendent job opening, interest groups, such as formal unions or grassroots parents coalitions, may have a preferred candidate for the position. Having insight into when an opening may come about is key to positioning the right person early on.
For example, in Pinellas County, FL, a group has formed to push for a diverse candidate to fill their vacancy after the Superintendent retired after more than a decade of service.
School Districts Are a Great Opportunity to Build Relationships in the Community
If a company or organization wants to engrain themselves in their communities, schools are a great place to do just that.
Knowing when school events are taking place and being aware of upcoming opportunities - such as sponsorships - is a community relations strategy that needs to be part of your playbook.
Throughout the year, the Executive Director of Communications and Strategic Alliances will select and award the "Friend of Agua Fria Award" to a community partner for their contributions and invaluable support to the district.
Agua Fria Union High, AZ | School District | March 16, 2022
School Districts Procure a Tremendous Amount of Products and Services
Earlier we mentioned some of the larger, more visible services school districts play a major role in - like the renovation or new construction of school buildings and facilities.
But school districts purchase a wide array of products and services, including food service, office supplies, IT equipment, security/access control, and the amount of technology finding its way into schools will seemingly only continue to increase.
Due to current constraints on supply chain, an immediate request to procure equipment is necessary as to not delay the delivery and/or availability of the necessary technology.
Cherry Creek 5, CO | School District | March 7, 2022
School District Tracking Needs to Be Part of Your Local Policy Strategy
If you’re not tracking the activities of school districts, or struggle to keep up with monitoring multiple districts - then now is the time to explore a policy tracking solution like Curate.
Curate monitors more than twenty-one hundred school districts on a regular basis and delivers word-for-word insights from meetings and agendas – helping you save time, eliminating manual work, and automatically putting what matters in front of you.