The cost of guessing

Almost 30 years ago, I accidentally learned a lesson that has served me well for decades. I was playing golf at a course in Dallas and, miraculously, I was doing great. With a 12 handicap, I managed to get through the first eight holes at even par. The ninth hole was a short, dogleg-left par…
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When DIY won’t work for your school district

When people ask who our competition is, our immediate response is the DIY school districts. Many research tools are readily available to school districts – and some take advantage of the cost savings by doing their own in-house research. In fact, we often encourage our clients to DIY projects that don’t require our expertise. However,…
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What’s the chatter inside your school district?

At ExcellenceK12, all our staff members have kids or grandkids in public schools, so we understand what parents are going through during this pandemic. Even in the best of circumstances, it has been challenging. From our observations and communications with peers in many markets, districts seem to be making every effort to provide excellent education…
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Case study: Brentwood’s pre-election survey results help change the conversation for a win on Election Day

Last fall, when the Brentwood School District received its pre-election survey results from ExcellenceK12, district leaders thought they knew what direction they would be heading for the April 2020 bond election. The survey was intended to determine what to do with Brentwood’s two elementary schools – McGrath and Mark Twain – whose average age was…
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Don’t halt your pre-election research

Fall reopening ups and downs have your school district busy beyond belief, making it hard to think past tomorrow. But, pre-pandemic, your school district may have been planning for a bond issue. Now is the time to seek the input of your patrons, if you foresee a future bond election in spring 2021. If you…
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Don’t let the “noise” derail you

At ExcellenceK12, we have a habit of listening in on what’s happening with our school district clients by monitoring social media in various markets, following news stories and getting direct feedback from clients and friends. What we are hearing lately is jarring – a lot of negative patron “noise.” Much of the noise is coming…
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How much time do you spend managing your patrons’ perceptions?

We’re going to go out on a limb and assume nobody has asked you that question today – or ever. Managing perception is probably not one of the classes you took when getting your degree(s) in education. Things are changing every day in this brave new world of 2020. This fall, as your schools open,…
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Gossip today becomes a social media headline tomorrow

Friends and neighbors are talking about your school district’s fall reentry plans. Do you have a pulse on what they are saying? We know from conducting hundreds of research studies for school districts that “friends and neighbors” is the number one source patrons turn to for district news. Those same studies tell us Facebook is…
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Case Study: Northwest School District uses unique, varied media channels for COVID-19 response

At least once a week, while walking his dog, Lacy, Dr. Desi Kirchhofer, superintendent, reaches out through a video message to the “Lion Nation” of the Northwest School District in House Springs, Mo., to send out positive messages – and to simply connect with his patrons – during the COVID-19 crisis. The videos – which…
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Communicating with your patrons during a crisis

In this time of uncertainty, some of the most vulnerable are our children and their families. How you respond to and communicate with them about Covid-19 – and the steps you are taking to ensure their education continues – will leave a lasting impression. Your school district is looking to you, district leaders, for clarity…
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