Waitsburg Schools Update Website and Add Facebook

WAITSBURG – The Waitsburg School District has taken steps to improve communications with the public by updating the district website and adding a Facebook page. Technology Manager Jack Morris and Data ITU Abner Garza, from ESD 123, showcased the improvements and took both pages live at the Oct. 11 school board meeting.

Morris said Superintendent Jon Mishra had approached the ESD with the "universal dilemma" regarding the best way to reach the public; websites vs. Facebook.

"We decided the most prudent strategy that honors everybody's perspective was to do a refresh on the website, rather than a major rebuild, and still maintain that conduit of critical information to those constituents that depend on websites. And then slowly but surely, migrate over to Facebook, running it in a parallel mode," Morris said.

"That way you have something that speaks to the future and maintains your presence in the past. Hopefully, you come up with a mix that speaks to all of your constituents, equally," he added.

Garza made the website updates, created the new Facebook page, and worked with board member Russ Knopp, who will provide updates to website and manage the Facebook page.

"What I told Russ and Jon when we met is that even if you put $50,000 into your website, you still won't have the engagement you'll have on Facebook. The parents and students are already out there on Facebook. All they have to do is add you and whatever Waitsburg posts will show up on their feeds," he said.

Garza said he updated the look of the district web page (www.waitsburgsd.org) with a scrolling banner, icons, and improved organization. The website links to the new Facebook page via the scrolling banner and a link at the bottom page menu.

The new Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/waitsburgsd. High school secretary Denise Winnett will continue to maintain the 'Waitsburg High School (Official)' Facebook page, but community members are encouraged to like and follow the new 'Waitsburg School District' page as well.

Links to Dr. Mishra's weekly Cardinal Callings videos, which provide updates on district happenings, are accessible from both the website and the Facebook page. The Facebook page lists upcoming events and already has videos of district staff serving dinner to the football team and antics in the elementary lunch room on Super Heroes Day and Pajama Day.