Board Work Session - 10/6/26

The Iowa City School Board held a work session on October 6, 2026, focused on communications, with facilitation from Wickstead and Company, a strategic communications firm. Board members and district staff discussed how to communicate more effectively with families, the broader community, business and community partners, media, and elected officials. Topics included responding to misinformation and criticism, addressing community concerns about budget cuts and trust, and using concise, audience-focused messages and personal stories to explain the district’s work and priorities. The facilitator encouraged a forward-looking approach that acknowledges concerns and emphasizes solutions.

Participants discussed possible next steps, including developing a communications plan and calendar, coordinating board and district messaging, considering a rotating process for responding to board emails, and directing social-media exchanges toward offline conversations. A participant suggested proactive board communications could occur between quarterly and monthly, depending on district activity. No contract award, procurement decision, spending amount, or budget allocation was discussed; the meeting ended with a motion and second to adjourn.