A Major Step In Developing A School Public Relations Program Is Collecting Information That Will Enable School Personnel To Know The Community In Which The Program Will Function This type of information would also be helpful to a new principal!!! However A Continuously Changing Community Means This Is An Ongoing Process.

Three Questions: What data do you need? How do you collect that data? How will it be analyzed and interpreted.

Some types of information you need: Customs and traditions Population characteristics Communication channels Community groups Leadership Economic conditions Political conditions Social tensions Previous community efforts

Considering the types of information needed, form small groups and brain storm: What would you like to know ways for a new principal to gather this information. Ways the incoming superintendent of EBR might gather such data for his first few months on board.

ELITE POWER MODEL PLURALISTIC OR DIFFUSED MODEL AMORPHOUS MODEL POWER STRUCTURES SELDOM HAVE SCRUPLES WHEN THEY WANT TO EXERCISE POWER – ALSO MANY WORK IN THE BACKGROUND CHOOSING NOT TO BE IN THE LIMELIGHT –THESE CAN BE THE MOST HELPFUL AND ALSO THE MOST DANGEROUS TO THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND ONE MUST HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR EXISTENCE

Unscientific methods include: Forums and conferences Advisory committees Panels Key communicators Scientific methods include: Opinion polling Surveying

Some cautions when using sampling methods. To get valid and useful results it is best to study the population When a population study is not possible, sampling must be carefully done. A “self selecting” sample is unlikely to produce information representative of the population! Whether polling or surveying, the process needs professional aid the instrument must be kept to a reasonable length.

Some thoughts: You will be expected and will need to use technology! The use of technology such as internet based outreach will automatically eliminate a portion of the population! Poor collection methods will product poor or useless data!

How are they different and who is responsible for them?

A POLICY IS A BROAD STATEMENT OF RATIONALE AND PURPOSES DELINEATING A PURPOSE IS CRUCIAL IN THAT IT TELLS WHY THE POLICY WAS DEVELOPED AND WHAT GOALS IT SHOULD ACCOMPLISH POLICY DOES NOT CONTAIN SPECIFICS OR MEANS OF ACCOMPLISHMENT POLICY PROVIDES DIRECTION AND FRAMEWORK, BUT NOT DETAIL ADOPTION OF POLICY IS THE DUTY OF THE BOARD THE DETERMINATION OF DETAIL FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY IS THE JOB OF THE ADMINISTRATION

All school policy should: Be In Agreement With State Laws Be Consistent With The Philosophy Of The School Or School System Be Consistent With The Traditions And Opinions Of The Community Clearly State The Purpose Of The Policy This holds for School Community Relations Policy as well as any other policy of an educational system!

POLICY CAN BE IN ONE OF FOUR STYLES: The Policy Statement Is In Broad Terms Only, With The Details Left To Administrators The Policy Can Have A Rationale And Include Operational Parameters The Policy May Contain Rules And Regulations That Must Then Become A Part Of The Policy Implementation The Policy Will Be A Resolution Upon Whose Basis The Board Will Take Legal Action

Often SCR Policy IS developed because of: Complaints From Parents Or Parent Groups A Defeat Of A Bond Issue Or A Tax Election A Vague Feeling Among The Board Or The Administration That Better Communications With The Public Is Needed Pressure From Groups Within The Community Regarding The Operation Of The Schools A Desire Within The Schools System To Be More Effective As Educators

SCR Policy development and implementation should include the following: BOARD MEMBERS ADMINISTRATORS TEACHERS PARENTS STUDENTS COMMUNITY LEADERS

The SCR Policy should include: Program goal Community data Short term goals Long term goals Methods of modifying the program

Abe said: “You can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” A Truism for educators: You can please all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you cannot please all of the people all of the time.

Public Opinion Is An Intangible, But Powerful, Force In America While Boards Constantly Try To Please All Segments Of The Population, It Is Impossible To Do So Many Boards Are Volunteer, However, In Louisiana They Are Paid – Either Way They Are Ultimately Responsible For What Happens In The Schools The Board Must Be Active In Legislative Matters Board Meetings Should Be Conducted By Parliamentary Rules And The Input Of Citizens Must Be Encouraged

The Board Is Responsible For Setting Policy, But Should Not Be Involved In The Implementation The Board Can Set A Positive Tone Within The School System And Also Within The Community The Board Should Be Sensitive To Parental Complaints, But Should Not Interfere In The Running Of The Schools -- This Is Not Within Their Responsibilities The Board Sets Parameters For The Superintendent, Oversees His Activities, Supports The Superintendent, But Should Not Involve Itself In Administrative Activities!!!!!!

Centralized Plan – Authority And Responsibility Is Centered At The District Level – In Small School Systems The Superintendent Accepts Most Of These Responsibilities – In Larger Ones They Are Delegated Decentralized Plan – In Small Schools Systems The Duties And Responsibilities Will Fall Primarily On The School Principal – In A Large System, With Administrative Subdistricts It Will Fall On The District Administrator Or A Subordinate With This As A Major Job Focus

Every Staff Member Has Responsibility For The Way The School Or School System Is Viewed By The Public. Some Areas Are: Do A Good Job (This Should Be So Obvious As To Not Need Stating) Know The School And School System Know The Community

It Is The Responsibility Of The Person Charged With Promoting School Community Relations To Help The Entire Staff Be Effective In School Community Relations.  Some Ways This Can Be Done Are: Orientation Programs In-service Courses Workshops Clinics Special Meetings Preschool Conferences Study Groups

Faculty Meetings Indirect Training – This Can Include: Handbooks Internal Publication Films And Videos Case Studies Bulletin Boards Exhibits External Publications Checklists And Rating Scales Subscriptions To Publications