School website opens to public comment

Kalispell Public Schools have a new avenue for the public to comment.

People will have an opportunity to participate in threaded discussions in a moderated forum on the district site, www.sd5.k12.mt.us.

The online venture is at the request of the school board and district communications committee.

The community forum provides a place for people to submit comments in response to topics posted by the administration.

The district chose not to go through Facebook because access to the site is blocked and automatically uploaded comments may pose a risk.

Superintendent Darlene Schottle said the forum will help gauge public opinion on educational topics.

“It would be an opportunity to provide feedback on specific topics that we are working on and to get public response,” Schottle said. She plans to continue the traditional format of surveys.

“We just felt as a board and a district sometimes there are some key items that we need some quick feedback, quick turnaround, from the public how they’re feeling about something.”

To access the forum, users may click “About Us” on the district website and then click on “Community,” where they will find the “Community Forum” link to the left. The district has worked on the page over the past few days.

District 5 Administrative Assistant Heidi Hickethier posted a sample question and comment on the site to show what it looks like to board members Tuesday.

“Here’s a topic, for example, FHS has an IB program and GHS has an AP program, what are some other opportunities you’d like to see as a community member,” Hickethier said. “As you scroll down, it will give you an opportunity to comment.”

People do not have to register to leave comments. Once submitted, comments go to a queue for approval.

There is not a specific policy for comments, but Schottle said the board policy on Internet use applies.

“I wouldn’t want things up there that are inappropriate or hurtful for students. I wouldn’t want things up there that perhaps have student names or confidential information included in it,” Schottle said.

The community site also contains links to newsletters created in the district such as the monthly superintendent’s newsletter.

The district may explore using other ways to reach out to the public such as Twitter.

“We’re just getting our toes wet on how to provide that interaction. We’ll probably continue to expand our options with social media as time goes on,” Schottle said.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.