2024-25 Strategic Communication Plan

2024-25 Strategic Communication Plan – approved by BISD Board of Directors, December 12, 2024

Bainbridge Island School District is committed to open, honest and ongoing communication with staff, families and the greater community. Effective two-way communication helps establish and strengthen relationships — and positive relationships are essential for a strong school system.

In the Fall of 2022, BISD underwent a Communication Audit implemented by the National School Public Relations Association. The audit examined BISD's communication efforts, assessed their effectiveness and provided customized recommendations to enhance BISD communication practices. The audit's final report included eight recommendations and corresponding action steps.

Recognizing that implementing the recommendations takes time, effort and financial resources, BISD focused on three goals for the 2023-24 school year (see updates beginning on page 15). It should be noted that unexpected challenges during the 2023-24 school year (school consolidation/closure discussions and a mid-year change in leadership) caused communication priorities and efforts to shift. Fully implementing the plan’s goals was pushed to the back burner. Still, progress was made and the 2024-25 plan builds upon this momentum.

2024-25 GOALS

• Goal 1 - Strengthen trust between the District Office, BISD staff, families & the community: Stakeholders will view district-level communications as trustworthy, transparent and timely.
• Goal 2 - Staff members understand their roles in achieving BISD’s mission: Staff will feel valued, appreciated and essential to the success of BISD.
• Goal 3 - Increase knowledge of BISD‘s finances: Constituents will better understand district finances, how BISD is funded and the financial challenges the district faces.
• Goal 4 - Increase the adoption of ParentSquare: Staff and families will view ParentSquare as a resource and the central location for communication.

This plan is a working document and provides BISD with a framework for its communication efforts. It is important to note that these goals and refinements are in addition to current communication practices and are not replacements.

The plan’s success will be measured using data from the Spring 2025 Communication Survey.

If you have questions about this plan, please contact BISD Public Relations Officer Erin Bischoff at ebischoff@bisd303.org.