School consolidation discussions have increased the public's need for communication with the Jasper County School District. District officials are making every effort to keep them informed.

Nitin Nohria, the dean of Harvard Business School, says communication is the real work of leadership, a concept not lost on the school district.

The district has made numerous efforts to communicate with parents, teachers, staff and the community the importance of their participation in numerous events happening throughout the school year.

The district has made every effort to keep the lines of communication open. To accomplish this, events throughout the school year have included coffee with the superintendent, district focus groups, a parent advisory group, a student advisory group, monthly board meetings, a teacher advisory group, as well as meetings held at Hardeeville and Ridgeland schools. Continued efforts to reach those within the community have included newspaper articles, television coverage of events and letters to churches.

The Jasper County Council recently received a tour of the district's schools; district officials also met with local businessmen to keep them aware of the events within the district. Superintendent Vashti Washington has also spoken at local churches in Jasper and Beaufort counties in an effort to keep the lines of communication open between the district and the entire county, as well as surrounding areas.

Communication is the real work of leadership and the Jasper County School District has made every effort possible to communicate and show leadership throughout each school year.

Shellie Murdaugh

Public information officer

Jasper County School District

Ridgeland