Webmaster proposal aims at increase in school web presence

    Marking one year since the launching of the new Holyoke School District website, webmaster Stefan Betley addressed the Re-1J Board of Education about potential updates at the Monday, Jan. 22, board meeting.
    With a board push to bring presenters to board meetings to showcase what’s happening in the district, Betley was invited to share about the district website.
    His presentation was strictly informational, with review of board policies and procedures to occur prior to any advancement of plans for the website.
    Initially the new website was well received and the number of apps installed was growing, said Betley. However, over the 12 months they have been live, there has actually been a decrease in app users and possibly web traffic.
    Betley reviewed a proposal to increase web presence and create a cohesive brand image for the school district.
    “The plan is to use targeted messaging, considering the context of each post, and have a consistent application of our message across all platforms,” said Betley.
    Currently, a majority of the district stories are pushed out only to the website as a live feed, without any notification to the public that anything went out on the web.
    Betley said that through their web portal, Thrillshare, they have the ability to publish stories put on the website to Facebook or Twitter or as a push notification to the app without any extra work.
    He added that the most likely reason people have stopped using the app is that checking the Holyoke app is not in their routine. “If we post to the social media sites, we increase the likelihood that our message will be seen by our target audience.”
    Betley reported that schools in the Northeast BOCES are successfully using social media. Peetz has Facebook and Twitter accounts, and Akron also has a successful school Facebook page.
    Currently, there are more than seven organizations associated with Holyoke School District that have social media accounts. Betley’s proposal is for a school district Facebook page that would help with student privacy issues.
    His solution involves the website management system creating Facebook and Twitter pages that belong to the school district. The other social media users could then be given user access to post to the website, Facebook and Twitter. The school website would do the rest, and the district would still be in charge of approving the content that is posted.
    “This will make it easier to have a cohesive brand image that targets our audience while considering context and consistency,” said Betley.
    He added that this can also help the people who currently host social media sites to comply with all district policies, including student privacy concerns.
    Noting that the district spends around $8,400 a year to maintain the website, Betley emphasized the importance of putting out a cohesive brand image.
    He added that the context of every message that goes out should be considered in order to follow a consistent application to reach the target audience every time.
    
Final budget appropriates $7.86 million in general fund
    Using figures from the 2016-17 audit report that was adopted at a special meeting of the school board Dec. 19, 2017, the board appropriated funds for 2017-18 and adopted the final budget for FY18 Monday night.
    The final budget cites $7,859,802 in the general fund, with total appropriations of $9,071,796.
    Authorization was also given by the board to use a portion of the beginning fund balance in the general fund to allow for expenditures. This is simply done as a precautionary manner, noted Ben Rahe, director of budget and finance.
    The following appropriations for the adopted budget were approved for 2017-18:
    General Fund $7,859,802
    Food Service $274,053
    Bond Redemption $496,680
    Trust and Agency $39,176
    Pupil Activity $402,085
    Total Approp. $9,071,796
    In other budget discussion, Superintendent John McCleary reviewed proposed timelines for various aspects of the budget process. He added that the standing budget parameters will be evaluated, as well.
    
Fall sports reviewed
    A report of coaches, participants, records, post-season standings and awards for 2017 junior high and high school fall sports was prepared by athletic director Sandra Rahe and reviewed at Monday night’s meeting.
    There were no dual-sport fall athletes, and Rahe additionally cited that the fall musical was another success.
    Going forward, she highlighted the future of boys golf/coaches needed and also mentioned they will be hiring a new JH volleyball head coach for next year.
    
Other business

    In other business Jan. 22, the school board:
    —Noted a potential location change for the proposed greenhouse, adding that the building will go out for bid in late February.
    —Reviewed the first semester random drug testing report as prepared by coordinator Susan Ortner. A total of 105 tests were given, with 95 students tested once and five tested twice. There was one positive test for ethyl glucuronide (the alcohol test) and one positive test for a medicine-based report.
    McCleary completed the required audit of the first semester RDT records, reporting that policies and procedures were followed and numbers were reported accurately.
    —Approved Corey Koberstein as head HS track and field coach for 2017-18 and Dusty McConnell as JH assistant wrestling coach.
    —Reviewed the following policy presentations at a work session prior to the board meeting: privacy and protection of confidential student information, professional support personnel salary schedule, public concerns and complaints, and random drug testing.
    Board president Pat Wiebers made a request to look at policies regarding maternity leave, noting she’s done some checking with regard to area school district policies on the topic. Additionally, she would like the board to see the policies surrounding the superintendent evaluation and contract.
    —Accepted nonresident students Daisy Quintana and Miguel Emiliano Roberto Vazquez, who reside in Yuma County.
    —Heard suggestions as presented to board members about two subjects: signage on the highways directing travelers to the schools and the need for diaper changing tables in the public restrooms used during ballgames.
    —Held a three hour and 15 minute executive session at the close of the meeting for the superintendent’s evaluation.

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