Ukiah Unified School District has earned three national awards from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), recognizing high-quality communication projects developed to engage families and build understanding across the community.
Ukiah Unified received NSPRA’s Award of Excellence, its highest publication honor, for the publication and rollout of the District’s updated Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan simplified complex educational goals and brought them to life for staff and families alike. The District also earned Honorable Mentions for its Recruitment Brochure, designed to attract and retain top educator talent, and its Staff Celebration Video Series, which highlights outstanding employees each month.
“We are committed to building trust through clear and consistent communication,” said Superintendent Deb Kubin. “These projects reflect our belief that when families understand what’s happening in our schools – and why – they become stronger partners in student success. I’m proud of our team’s creativity and care in telling our story.”
The content and direction of the Strategic Plan were developed over the course of a year through engagement with the Strategic Plan Guiding Coalition, the District Advisory Committee, and the Board of Education. These groups included students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members who generously contributed their time and expertise. In total, more than 100 individuals helped shape the plan, closely examining student performance data and survey feedback from parents, staff, and students.
Dan Dougherty, Communications Officer for Ukiah Unified created these projects for the District. “These three projects in particular focus on our strategic direction, which includes recruiting and retaining the best possible staff for our families, and how we celebrate our staff for their amazing work,” said Dougherty. “I’m happy they were recognized.”
The NSPRA awards program honors excellence in school communication across the United States. This year, more than 1,500 entries were submitted from school districts and educational organizations nationwide.