Engagement All Year Long: A Roadmap for District Leaders
Updated
By CSMs Sharon Neb & Erika Somogyi
Effective stakeholder engagement isn’t a one-time effort—it’s a year-round strategy. From back-to-school surveys that set the tone for the year to spring feedback that informs planning, each season brings a unique opportunity to listen, learn, and lead. By aligning your engagement efforts with the school calendar, you can collect more relevant feedback, boost participation, and make better-informed decisions that reflect the needs of your community. Below, we outline a sample engagement calendar to help you plan meaningful interactions with staff, students, and families every step of the way.
Fall Engagements - Focus: Setting the tone, identifying needs, launching initiatives
Student & Family Start-of-Year Survey – Understand expectations, priorities, and concerns.
Staff Professional Development Needs Assessment – Guide spring and summer PD planning.
Staff & Family Technology Readiness & Support Survey – Identify tech gaps, training needs, and boost adoption of district technology tools.
School Climate & Belonging Survey – Establish a baseline for student and staff well-being, address concerns, and benchmark over time.
Strategic Plan Community Input (if applicable) – Gather input for new or refreshed goals.