Nixa schools earn national communication award

A Christian County school district earned national recognition as the 2014 recipient of the Leadership Through Communication Award.

Jointly sponsored by Blackboard, the National School Public Relations Association, American Association of School Administrators and the School Superintendents Association, Nixa Public Schools' Superintendent Stephen Kleinsmith and Director of Communications Zac Ranz demonstrated exemplary leadership in the enhancement of school-to-parent communication, according to a news release.

The R-2 school district comprises 11 school buildings and more then 6,000 students. In recognition of their efforts, Blackboard will make a $10,000 contribution to the district to be used for student scholarships or communication activities.

“The comprehensive nature of Nixa Public Schools’ communication program is incredibly impressive when you realize that it is overseen by a department of one,” said Rich Bagin, executive director of the NSPRA, in the release. “The scope, quality and effectiveness of the communication effort is a testament to Dr. Kleinsmith’s vision and commitment and to Zac’s creativity, skill and boundless energy. It is obvious they are both extremely passionate about their work and the students in Nixa’s schools.”

According to the release, judges were impressed with the high-functioning communications program the district has developed, noting its strategic, transparent and two-way design.

Kleinsmith has made school communication a high priority for the district since joining in 2000, resulting in the addition of a director of communication; principal advisory committees; a key communicator network; enhanced interaction with the community and the media; a volunteer program; staff communication training; a crisis communication plan; and enhanced customer service across the district, according to the release.

Open to any school district in the United States or Canada, the award will be presented at AASA’s National Conference on Education in Nashville, Tenn., February 13-15.