New communication tool between district and parents highlights short KC School Board meeting

By Scott Johnson

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA  – In a relatively short meeting Thursday evening (31 minutes), the Keystone Central School Board unanimously passed the purchase of a communications tool the board and administration say is a key communications device between the district and students’ parents.

The board approved the contract with Bloomz, a K-12 communication tool, not to exceed $30,900. The district, Superintendent Dr. Jacquelyn Martin, said, is negotiating a lower price.
“I expect the contract to be a lower number,” she said.

“It’s a great way to get information out,” said board member Jeff Johnston. “It’s money well spent.”

According to information supplied by the company to the district, “Bloomz is the only platform to combine all aspects of communications from districts to classroom communications… as well as portfolios and assignment modules in one platform.”

The cost is based on 3,720 communications devices at $5 per unit per year, along with a one-time “implementation fee” of $3,000.

Optional feature add-ons include a behavior management and PBIS recording suite, an activity and assignments suite and a recorded voice call auto notices module.

In other news from Thursday evening’s meeting, Dr. Martin recognized the district’s professional staff members for “their commitment to learning over the summer months.”

She said Director of Pupil Services Christina Manning has been working with the district’s Behavior Specialist Kelly Swartwood to train key school leaders and principals on Restorative Practices.

Also, Dr. Martin said Megan Hull, director of Curriculum and Innovation, has been overseeing the training of the district’s elementary teachers on the new math curriculum and materials from Bridgens, the district’s core math program.

Concerning the recently-passed state budget, Dr. Martin said she was pleased to inform the board and the public, the district received $1.6 million in increased state funding in three key areas.
One area is $300,000 in additional funding for school safety and mental health programs.
Dr. Martin said the state passed several changes to the school code including adjustments to the Keystone Exam requirements, certification requirements for out-of-state applicants and access to career and technical programs, “to name a few.”