District 116 expands online portal for questions, concerns

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the number of interactions recorded.

Round Lake Area Unit District 116 has expanded an online initiative designed to encourage more communication between school leaders and parents, students and others.

Individual websites for all 10 of District 116's buildings now have a button to click for the Let's Talk! service, which allows for questions, comments, suggestions, concerns or compliments. Now school-specific questions may be posed - an expansion over the service's debut in the 2014-15 academic season that was geared for districtwide issues.

Superintendent Constance Collins said Monday that Let's Talk! is another effort to improve the level of communication among the community at large, parents, students and District 116.

"It gives them another opportunity and another way to really reach us within the district," Collins said.

District 116 spokeswoman Heather Bennett said administrators are assigned to handle questions in their areas of expertise.

"So, for instance, communications will come to me," Bennett said. "Superintendent, obviously to Dr. Collins. We have teaching and learning, human resources. So now that we've expanded that out to the schools, it'll go directly to the principal or their designee to respond."

Bennett said a full answer from a District 116 official to a question posed on Let's Talk! is expected within 48 hours.

Those who use the service are not required to provide their names.

Collins said it's hoped participation in Let's Talk increases by being available on all websites.

The district recorded 212 interactions for 2014-15 and have 74 so far this year.

Officials said while personal conversations, telephone calls, email and social media are also ways to communicate with District 116, a Let's Talk submission creates a digital record of all actions and responses.

They said Let's Talk! affords protection and accountability not provided by other communication methods.

Bennett said concerns expressed over Let's Talk! last year included the number of District 116 Spanish-language translators and the promotion requirements for eighth-graders.

A large number of questions about eighth-grade promotion led the district to issue a formal correction to employees, she said.

Let's Talk! has popped up at other Lake County school systems, including Vernon Hills-based Hawthorn Elementary District 73.

Virginia-based K12 Insight created Let's Talk! Collins said K12 Insight asked her to be part of a panel discussion about Let's Talk! at an Urban Superintendents Association of America conference this year.