True North

The new Robbinsdale web site has another edition of referendum "myths" and "facts" to refute them. There are additional sections with "honest responses to tough questions" and more points characterizing the district as an "excellent steward" of taxpayer dollars.

Last December, the chairs of the 2007 referendum that failed wrote an op-ed in the Sun Post to refute the "blitzkrieg of disinformation" waged by referendum opponents. Trouble was, their facts were mostly anecdotal and unresponsive so all that was left was some rather obvious bitterness.

The bitterness is gone this time, but an attitude remains. Some of the questions could have been presented better and too many of the answers are just too unfocused. I'm sure that the authors think they really set the record straight, but not really. They say "We're Listening!" and they are. But the same old words, with a noticeable attitude, get printed.

Communication is more art than science in any organization. It was an issue raised many times during the Strategic Planning process, including the staff. The District is moving ahead trying to get a better grip on its finances. It needs to make a similar effort in communications.

Cross-posted at Speed Gibson. Comments welcome.