The Olentangy Local School District will become more technology-savvy on Valentine’s Day.
The district will launch a mobile app for smartphones Tuesday. School board members watched a nearly 2-minute information video about the app at its Jan. 26 meeting.
“We figured it was 2017, time to get a mobile app finally and communicate in today’s world,” said Krista Davis, the district’s communications director.
The app will feature a calendar, a directory and news feed, called an “activity stream,” which will include social media posts. Parents can select, which schools to follow on the app.
Davis said the app is a way to improve the district’s “patchwork” communication system. Parents and guardians usually get information by email or a phone call from the district, but have to opt into the system.
“We aren’t reaching all of our parents by a long shot through our current system because they have to opt in,” Davis said.
The district is asking parents to update contact information on PowerSchool, an online technology platform the district uses.
Davis said the app will cost about $31,000 saving the district $4,000 compared with the cost for email and phone call services. The app will drive traffic to the website, which is another investment by the district, she added.
Additionally, Olentangy will have two newsletters, one specific for each of its buildings and the other for the district as a whole.
The board uploaded the app during the meeting. Board member Julie Feazel noted that it was easier to select schools to follow.
The Olentangy school board’s next meeting is Tuesday.
