Communication Committee Purpose

1. Communication Committee Purpose The objective of the Communications Committee is to foster greater interest, involvement, and support for Pelham Public Education through improved communication and information distribution. The committee was formed by the Pelham School Board in August 2010.

2. PSD Communication Committee • Chair: Debbie Ryan (PSB Member) • Ron Campo – Pelham School District IT Coordinator • Diane Chubb • Tom Gellar • Daryle Hillsgrove • Brian Carton- PSB Support

3. Survey Volunteers • Student Volunteers • Ryan Cummings 9th Grade • Kate Coulter 9th Grade • Emily Dupuis 8th Grade • Jessica Dupuis 8th Grade • Rachel Marion 7th Grade • Tyler Cummings 6th Grade • Rachel Chubb 2nd Grade • Jason Chubb 2nd Grade Student Volunteers Entering Survey Data from surveys taken at school open houses • Parent Volunteers • Mary Dupuis • Kristin Morgenstern

4. Survey • Identify resident current sources of information • Gauge effectiveness of School District Communication • Identify attention and participation in school district budgeting and election process • 10 Questions • 4 Choose best answer • 6 provided multiple answers

5. Electronic Distribution • On line Survey- Survey Monkey • Links: • Pelham Message Board • School District site • Email Distribution by the Parks + Recreation Department • PTV Slide with Survey Information • VFW Member email distribution • Computer Stations at School Open Houses • PTA Newsletter Note: Other organizations contacted to request assistance with notification and distribution but did not get a formal reply or feedback.

6. Hard Copy Distribution & Notification • Town Hall/ Library • 10 • Senior Center • 8 • School Open House • PMS 45 • PES 74 • PHS 3 • Pelham Windham News Article • Manchester Union Leader Article Parent using computer station to take survey at school open house.

7. Survey Statistics 605 Surveys Completed 7,777 registered voters in Pelham (Source: Town Clerk, 11-7-2011) 12,897 residents in town (Source: 2010 Census via Town Clerk) Survey Results 7.78% of Pelham voters 4.69% of Pelham residents

8. Survey Statistics • 83 or 14.0% of the respondents indicated they do not have children in the Pelham School district • 22 or 3.7% of respondents indicated that they did not have regular access to the internet

9. School Board Performance Question: The Pelham School District is effective in communication issues with the public.

10. Most Common Sources of Information

11. Internet Key communication tool Survey Comment : “The HS website still has pictures from the previous seniors (graduated). The PES website has parts that are unable to be opened.”

12. Within the past 5 years have you ever attended a school board meeting or the school district deliberative session?

13. Information Desired

14. Key Observations from the Survey • Internet-based communications tools are a preferred method. Granted this was an online survey, it may be noted that over 120 surveys were completed on paper and only 22 indicated no regular internet access. • 55% of respondents with students in school had a positive opinion about PSD communications (vs 20% negative). 44% of respondents without students in school had a negative opinion (vs. 20% positive).

15. Key Observations from the Survey (2) • PSD Websites, Pelham Message Board and AlertNow are primary sources of internet/electronic information. • Pelham Windham News is a primary source of information from non-internet sources. PTV and word-of-mouth were also mentioned frequently. • Pelham TV was mentioned frequently, especially for PSB meetings and deliberative sessions.

16. Opportunities - Website • Requires regular and consistent updates • Assignment of accountability and responsibility for regular updates. • Easy to navigate • Include meetings, events, curriculum and facilities information School Calendar of events • Provide better public feedback and communication to District

17. Opportunities – Other Online Tools • Consistent Pelham Message Board postings. (Perhaps also a separate forum to allow moderated discussions between the public and PSB) • E-mail lists • AlertNow informational updates (Note: Some concerns that this would diminish its effectiveness as an emergency service) • Social Media – Using sites like Facebook or Twitter to notify all interested residents (not just parents) of events, issues, meetings, etc.

18. Opportunity - Newspapers • Strengthen relationships with local papers, especially Pelham Windham News • Submit regular press releases on issues affecting the school district • Encourage regular reporter coverage • Submit events to PWN calendar • Articles in local papers received high responses (‘w/o kids’ – 58%, w/kids – 41%)

19. Other Opportunities • Pelham TV already broadcasts meetings, school events and performances. It can also broadcast additional information in the form of powerpoint presentations, informative and Q & A sessions. • Flyers & Mailings– these received high responses, especially among respondents w/o kids in school. • Public forums and Q & A sessions.

20. In Conclusion • With PSB permission, we would like to publish this presentation in the PSD website, along with the survey results. • We would also like to put the presentation on PTV. • We welcome feedback or questions from the public. E-mail: communications@pelhamsd.org Tel: (603) 425-1976 • Thanks again to everyone who volunteered their time!