Alachua County Public Schools unveils new websites and new direct messaging system
Press release from Alachua County Public Schools
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) will be rolling out several new communications tools this summer to better connect with families, staff, students, and the community. Two of those tools, including new websites and a new messaging system, will launch on Monday, June 30. Current contracts for the district’s existing platforms expire July 1.
Websites for the district and each school will go online at 3:30 p.m. on June 30. Please note that the existing website will be temporarily unavailable for about an hour prior to the launch as the transition takes place.
As part of the website overhaul, the district will also be moving to a new website address, alachuaschools.net. While this will be the district’s official address moving forward, the current address of www.sbac.edu will redirect users to the new site for the foreseeable future.
The updated website will feature improved navigation and a more user-friendly design. The district has prioritized the most frequently-accessed features to ensure they are easier to find and use.
Also on June 30, ACPS will transition to a new direct messaging platform, Apptegy Alert. This system will replace the longstanding Skylert platform for sending emails, phone calls, and text messages. One key improvement is that families will no longer need to opt in to receive text messages—they will be automatically included but can unsubscribe at any time. Messages will come from the short code 98900, and an initial message will be sent from that number on June 30. No response will be necessary.
After June 30, district and school phone messages will come from (352) 955-7300 and emails from communication@alachuaschools.net.
Later this summer, ahead of the new school year, ACPS will introduce a new Alachua County Public Schools app. The app will offer families convenient access to emergency notifications, school and district events, school menus, and more.
Additionally, the district is launching a new communication platform called Rooms, which will become the standard for teacher and staff communications with families. It will replace platforms such as Class Dojo and Remind.
More details about the new app and the Rooms platform will be shared with families as their launch dates approach.
Still spending $$ they Don’t have, just like City of Gainesville!😢🙄👎
This cost the district $0 more than they were previously spending on these tools. They are just writing 1 check to 1 company instead of 4 checks to 4 separate companies.
It would be interesting to know who initiated the change, if the change was because it was less of an expense, and whether those implementing the change have any financial interests in the change.
I also think it’s interesting the District has made the choice to default people “in” to the new service and force them to opt out vs opting in. Reminds me of those “free trials” that entice a product or service that continues in perpetually until you opt out.
Here’s a reminder for the District, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
I agree. Follow the money on this one. How short of meeting the budget are they? Five million or more?
Wasn’t the new Superintendent some kind of consultant or private business between her prior position in Collier County and this new lucrative gig?
Switching from .edu to .net may lead to confusion, as .edu is commonly linked to educational institutions.
” “School districts across Florida are attempting to slash millions from their budgets this summer as they forecast another year of enrollment declines fueled by the state’s universal school choice program,” reports POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury.
“Hit with a combination of blows — fewer students, federal dollars drying up and state lawmakers passing a lean education budget — local schools are reassigning staff, freezing new hires and increasing class sizes in hopes of staving off firings. Although the Legislature committed to record high K-12 spending, most of the new money is dedicated to vouchers, leaving traditional public schools scrambling as their operational costs mount.”