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Wood County Board of Education reviews parent survey, communication initative

By Gwen Sour 3 min read

PARKERSBURG -- Wood County Schools is expanding its communication efforts after surveys showed strong support for nontraditional instructional days and widespread use of the district's digital platforms.

During Tuesday's Wood County Board of Education meeting, Eric Murphy, coordinator of organizational support and technology services, introduced the district's "We Love Our WCS Families" initiative.

The feature, available on the district's website and mobile app, provides families with a three-step process for resolving questions or concerns. Parents are first encouraged to contact the employee closest to the situation, such as a teacher, coach or bus driver. If the issue remains unresolved, they can contact a principal or supervisor.

Families needing additional help can submit an online form monitored by central office staff. The form includes categories for special education, elementary, middle and high school concerns, along with an option for general assistance.

"We want to make sure that they're feeling supported and valued as one of the families of Wood County Schools," Murphy said.

Board members asked whether the link could be moved higher on the district's website so families could find it more easily. Board member Simon Hargus, who attended remotely, also asked the district to review how calls and messages are handled during the summer when some school employees are not working.

Murphy and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Ashlee Beatty also presented results from recent family and employee surveys.

Murphy said 730 families answered questions about district communications. Rooms, the communication platform within the Wood County Schools app, was selected by 91% of respondents as a method they use to communicate with school employees.

Beatty said 1,097 parents responded to questions about the district's first year using nontraditional instructional days, or NTIDs. The days allow students to complete assignments at home during weather-related closures without adding instructional days at the end of the school year.

Of those responding, 1,004 said they liked the use of NTIDs. Most parents also said the three-day deadline for submitting assignments provided enough time and that the amount of work assigned was appropriate.

More than 300 employees completed a separate survey. About 77% agreed or strongly agreed that the district's NTID guidance clearly explained the process, although responses were more divided on whether families understood the expectations.

A majority of elementary teachers supported developing standardized NTID packets for each grade level. Beatty said teams of pre-K through fifth-grade teachers will begin creating the packets during the final week of July. The goal is to provide consistent assignments and expectations across the district.

Beatty said the packets could also be made available for parents to download from the district's website.

"With this feedback and what we've learned and lived, I do believe we will get better each time," she said.

Vice President Ron Tice presided over the meeting. Board members Haley Meredith and Hargus participated by video call, Debbie Hendershot attended in person and Judy Johnson was absent.

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com

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