Apptegy presents survey findings to PG School Board

PRAIRIE GROVE — The results of an anonymous survey on the communication efforts of Prairie Grove schools show improved communication should be a “key priority” and is a top concern from all stakeholder groups: district leadership, teachers/staff, guardians, students and the community.

Tyler Vawser and Barrett Goodwin with Apptegy, an education technical company out of Little Rock, presented the findings from the survey at the Prairie Grove School Board meeting April 16. Vawser said Apptegy is a company that is eight years old with clients all over the country and in Canada and Mexico.

The purpose of the survey, Vawser said, was to provide insights on communication preferences for Prairie Grove schools and the community and to help the district with changes to consider to improve its communication strategy.

Goodwin said Apptegy was impressed with the turnout for the online survey conducted Feb. 19-March 9.

The survey received 912 responses, which included seven from leadership, 98 from teachers/staff, 515 from guardians, 241 from students and 51 responses from the community.

“That is phenomenal, a really high response rate,” Goodwin said. “I think it is the highest response rate we’ve ever had. Hats off to you and your community for really engaging with this survey process. I think that’s a really strong sign.”

All groups were asked to answer how they were currently receiving news or updates, what are their preferred methods for receiving news, what news or updates did they wish they were receiving, what are they not getting that they wish they did (as far as form of communication) and would they recommend Prairie Grove schools to others.

Goodwin outlined three main points learned from the responses:

• The most commonly requested areas for more updates are school events and district initatives and priorities.

• Out of 515 guardians, only two indicated they were not receiving news or updates.

• A majority of each stakeholder group would recommend Prairie Grove schools to others.

The findings showed that all groups want improved district communications. In addition, respondents said they appreciate the community found in Prairie Grove schools, the community’s traditions and the small-town atmosphere but there also is a “real sense of transition and change” as the district is growing.

When it comes to communication with stakeholders, it is “kinda like a buffet,” Vawser said, because schools must provide different options and people pick and choose what they prefer. The “good news,” he said, is that Prairie Grove is doing a good job by providing information different ways, such as through emails, social media and text messages.

The challenge is to provide these options but to make it more simplified, he said.

The survey results showed that the district has room for growth on its mobile app because it was fourth on the list for where respondents received their news and communication from the district. The top three for receiving communication for most groups were text messages/phone calls, emails and social media posts.

In whether respondents would recommend Prairie Grove to others, results showed this:

• Guardians - 64% yes,

20% no, 15% maybe.

• Students - 41% yes, 39% no, 10% maybe.

• Teachers - 52% yes, 25% no, 15% maybe.

• Community - 38% yes, 32% no, 8% maybe.

There were some common themes from responses about this question, according to the 42-page report.

These included a widespread perception that facilities, particularly for athletics, are outdated, concern about losing the smalltown atmosphere, a concern about bullying that needs to be addressed, perceived cliques and allegations of favoritism especially felt by newcomers to Prairie Grove.

Prairie Grove families and teachers were asked about connectivity to the school district. Results show guardians most wish they were more connected to their child’s teacher, the principal and the district administration.

Teachers and staff responded they wished they were more connected to other teachers and staff in their building and other buildings, to the principal and to the superintendent.

Vawser and Goodwin discussed ways to create more advocates for the school district.

Every district has detractors who are vocal about being unhappy, advocates who tell positive stories about the school, and people who are neutral because they do not voice how they feel one way or the other.

They encouraged the district to concentrate on those in the middle who are neutral to turn them into advocates for the school.

“Those are the folks you really want to engage because what we found is that people really believe and benefit from feedback and advice from other people, their friends giving them a recommendation. If we can get those neutrals to become advocates, that’s going to be the biggest boost to your district,” Goodwin said.

Vawser pointed out that Prairie Grove has a lot of advocates. The district needs to help them articulate the school’s vision and mission to reach those people who are moving into your district, people who are neutral and people who are detractors.

The Apptegy representatives ended their presentation with three recommendations for the district.

• Double down on communications. Vawser said the district should be intentional about what it communicates and how it gets messages to the community. Use events to communicate and don’t be afraid to overcommunicate, he said.

• Refocus around the district’s brand. The school wants to continue to communicate its values to all stakeholders.

• Bring parents and teachers into a single platform. Goodwin said stakeholders mentioned there are a lot of messages and information to keep up with from the district and different schools. By having a single platform for communication, the district will make sure nothing is lost or falls through the cracks.

Vawser pulled out his cell phone to display how most people are receiving their information these days.

He said Apptegy has a communication platform that works within a school app that would be a possibility for the district to consider in improving communication with all stakeholders. It allows communication to go out to everyone but also allows teachers and other staff to communicate privately with parents and others.

Superintendent Lance Campbell and other district staff plan to meet with Apptegy to find out more about its communication platform in the future.