In this episode of Build Momentum, we chat with Leslie Lernhart, the Communications Director for Tucson Unified School District in Tucson, Arizona. TUSD is the largest district in Tucson, serving more than 47,000 students in 89 schools and programs.

Some Questions I Ask:

• Would you mind just telling us more about your district other than what I shared and the students you serve? (1:18)
• With the challenges that TUSD is experiencing during the pandemic, do you feel like you have recovered? (2:50)
• What are your plans for continuing distance learning?  (4:15)
• Do you think that the community responded positively to having that central point of communication and they knew where to go when they needed information? (6:54)
• With all of the workload and planning, how did you manage and do you have a large team? (7:52)
• Do you think that other districts can and should replicate being accessible to the media and to their community?? (17:16)
• What would you say is a big takeaway or a lesson that you've learned, in addition to what you just shared, or a piece of advice that you would give to other district leaders on communication? (18:57)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• TUSD background, their demographics and challenges. (1:23)
• How TUSD adjusted to communicating during a pandemic. (3:13)
• Utilization of online platforms for reaching out to the different communities within the district. (4:26)
• District visibility and communication with the community. (17:24)

Quotes:

“So it's just a lot of moving parts that has been really interesting for us, as well as we are a very traditional school district. So having online platforms was not something that was a huge part of our district, but now has become a giant part and really helped us bring us which in a lot of ways it's a positive into the 21st century to be able to look for the future to really help our students.”

“I really have a collaborative team and was really grateful that they were super helpful in making sure that answers were getting received, and that information was shared really proactively.”

“People really want to hear from you. So even if you don't have all the answers, it's okay to say, ``I don't have all the answers, but this is what I do, and be as factual as you can and as transparent as you can.”

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