By Derrick ForsytheRecord Staff WriterIn an effort to create a more thorough information pipeline with the community, the Warren County R-III School District unveiled a new public relations and communications plan during its monthly meeting Oct. 8.The strategy was developed to create stronger lines of communication and build trust throughout the district.The plan outlines the district’s belief that it has a responsibility to communicate effectively with internal and external customers and that focused, meaningful public engagement supports the district’s goals.The plan originally was outlined as part of the district’s comprehensive school improvement plan, which generally has a timeline of three to five years.“It’s sort of a road map to see how we operate with the public,” said Superintendent Dr. Jim Chandler. “We wanted to put something in writing, and this also included several things we’re already doing.”The plan will focus on five key strategies — successful graduates, achieving students who are college and career ready, quality staff and leadership, embracing technology and 21st century learning and safe environments, including improving and upgrading facilities.The overlying goal is to improve student achievement.“We’re looking at getting the majority of these implemented over the next five years, but along the way there will be tweaking and adjusting,” he said.Among the strategies within the plan are hosting district parent information nights at all school locations, conducting staff forums to discuss district initiatives and direction and holding student forums to discuss school-image issues.One of the strategies already being engaged is polling the public through surveys to determine the level of community support on potential bond issues.Also within that plan is potential hiring of a public relations representative whose role would be to serve the district by creating a direct line of communication that keeps the students, staff and community members up-to-date on news. It would also help the community to provide its own input."We researched some other districts to get ideas of how we wanted to structure our plan," said Chandler. "We already had some of these practices in place, but there are others we still want to work on implementing."He said the district will continue to explore the use of social media a positive means of communication with the public.Warren Co. R-III School