by Gina Zervos, Director of Communications & Volunteer Services, Rolla Public Schools
As we move into the fall season, the planning efforts of the Rolla Public Schools Board of Education (BOE) kick into high gear. If you’ve been following our communications efforts on our new website, you’ve likely seen the preliminary survey we released to the public back in the spring. This survey covered seven areas of focus that were deemed priorities by the BOE; safety and security, a performing arts facility/gymnasium at RHS, Space renovations and upgrades at Rolla Junior High (including band and choir spaces and science labs), Early Childhood program expansion, the Truman Elementary Library, and renovations at Rolla Technical Institute. The responses from our preliminary, opt-in survey were overwhelmingly positive, and we found that all items scored favorably with our parents and community members. This information was used as a springboard for the BOE during last week’s work session to determine next steps. Armed with these preliminary responses and some hard data from the architect’s analysis and budget estimates from the district’s financial advisers, board members looked closely at their options. At this point it appears the voters may have some decisions to make in April of 2020, but in the meantime, we would like some help in determining the scope of the projects.
It’s been decided to use a trusted company that has helped us hear the voices of the public during similar times in the past. Excellence K12 (formerly known as Patron Insight), will be assisting the district in gathering data from the community over the coming week. The company will conduct a phone survey to include registered voters who live in the Rolla 31 School District. Recipients are selected at random and are an equal representation of those who live east and west of Highway 63, and north and south of Highway 72. We are asking that you please consider answering the call. That may seem like a silly request, but with the barrage of telemarketers and other spam phone calls you likely get, we understand you may be wary of an unfamiliar number! This call will come from a 913 area code and may list Market Research Associates on your caller ID. The entire survey will take only a few minutes and will provide us with valuable insight on how we can improve our district and put your tax dollars to work in the most impactful ways.
While long-range facilities planning was certainly at the top of the list, the RPS Board of Education has plenty of other items to act on in the coming months. The 2020-21 Calendar Committee is forming and will work to make some scheduling decisions in the near future, Comprehensive School Improvement Plans are set to be delivered during the next few board meetings from the leaders of each campus in the district, and budget work for next year is already under way. It’s possible that the world turns a little faster here at Rolla Public Schools, as we are continually anticipating and planning for the future. No matter what phase of the year we’re in, it’s ALWAYS a great day to be a Bulldog. Thank you for your continued support of Rolla Public Schools.
Gina Zervos is the Director of Communications and Volunteer Services for the Rolla Public School District. With a background in Communications, Gina has been teaching at the collegiate level for over 10 years and joined the district in 2018 in an effort to broaden the scope of the public relations and communications reach. She believes the school district is the foundation on which an outstanding community is built. A Rolla native, Gina is passionate about serving the school district and the community, and has dedicated time and effort to many local organizations. Gina resides in Rolla with her husband, Adam, and their two children.
