IS 'LET'S TALK' THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S COMMUNICATIONS ANSWER?

Superintendent John Ramos said that 70 people have reached out through the new Let's Talk online communication program since it was launched nearly two weeks ago.

See background on the system, which has been implemented on a free, 90-day pilot basis, HERE. 

Launched on Sept. 11, the pilot program will end in December. The board will then consider whether to enter into a contract with Let's Talk for what is proposed to be a three-year agreement, which could be ended after each year.

If the program is continued after the pilot it would cost $11,083 on a pro-rated basis through the end of the 2015-2016 school year, and $19,000 annually for each full year after that.

Ramos invited the creator of Let's Talk, Suhail Farooqui, to explain the need for the program during Monday night's school board meeting. He demonstrated how the program allows residents to go online and direct their questions or concerns through specific tabs.

More importantly, he showed how data is collected on each inquiry showing how it was received -- email, phone or social media -- who the person making the inquiry is, their rating of service, their area of concern, and how long it took to respond.

"People are quite happy who have engaged in it so far," Ramos said.

Try it yourself HERE.

Board members also offered praise and hope it would help improve the district's poor response performance and communication with parents and residents. Ramos has said he has a goal that all inquiries will be answered within two days.

"I think most people in the district will say, 'thank you, thank you, thank you,'" declared Board Member Elizabeth Baker, later adding she hopes to see the "end of the black hole" that often ends residential inquiries.