2016 VSBA Annual Convention

Key goals of the district’s enVISION 2018 strategic plan included engaging families and the community to ensure open communication and student success, so Henry County Public Schools administrators resolved to meet school community members outside of the traditional school setting. Sharing student successes with the school community via outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, and blogs has led to greater interaction and support for programs and school activities from families and school community partners. Learn more about involving the community through social media and how to make these tools work for the schools in your district.

An unprecedented level of community engagement, through Fairfax County Public Schools’ #SaveFCPS campaign, was used as part of the FY 2017 budget process. In addition to the standard community meetings and annual public hearings, three program components were used to maximize effective citizen involvement: (1) members of the community contributed budget ideas via UserVoice, an online tool that allows citizens to post budget suggestions; (2) FCPS created a sophisticated yet easy way to use the online Budget Proposal Tool to gather specific proposals from stakeholders who may select different options to close the deficit; (3) a Budget Task Force was formed to provide budget recommendations.

Decision making was further improved because the Budget Tool provided basic budgeting facts and high quality information to stakeholders. The Budget Tool provided input that showed the level of public support for various options, and the School Board was not simply provided a list of potential cuts.  Instead, they were provided a list of reduction options ranked by the Budget Task Force using input from stakeholders submitted through the Budget Proposal Tool.

Through SPARK, the Summer Program for Arts, Recreation and Knowledge, Newport News Public Schools partners with corporate, non-profit, city, state and federal organizations to provide a comprehensive menu of full-day instruction and enrichment activities for 6,000 K-12 students. With meals and transportation provided, no tuition and a wealth of classes, field trips and more, SPARK has transformed summer into a positive youth development program. A 2015 NSBA Magna Award winner, this SPARK also serves as an incubator for innovative instruction.

In the 1960s and ’70s, sales of 7-Up soared as it proclaimed itself “the Uncola,” a citrusy soft drink with no caffeine or artificial colors. Henrico County Public Schools followed a less-is-more approach with a contest for faculty and staff called the “Un-initiative.” Dr. Patrick Kinlaw, HCPS superintendent, contended that while school systems frequently add initiatives, they rarely retire the ones that are no longer relevant.

 All employees – teachers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers – were asked to send their ideas on things that the school division was doing that they think can be stopped and still be an efficient and effective organization. The school system’s Division Leadership Team picked three ideas to receive $100, $75 and $50 cash prizes, from Kinlaw’s personal funds. The school division was a winner, too as there were many good suggestions beyond the three winners that could be considered/implemented. While the school division is moving forward with new initiative to support student success and innovation, the Un-Initiative frees up time for staff to focus on the division’s priorities.