CARBONDALE- A public relations campaign aimed to dispel negative perceptions of Carbondale Elementary School District No. 95 through focus groups and research is in the early stages of planning and school officials are looking for public input.

The idea for the campaign, which was discussed at Thursday night's school board meeting, stems from concerns that the area's schools have been given a bad reputation within the community, according to Paula Smith-Feigenbaum, chairperson of the Public Relations Committee and school board member. She is hoping a campaign will better educate the public about the district, which includes Carbondale Middle School, Parrish, Thomas and Lewis schools.

"The district feels there is a negative community perception of our schools," she said. "We want to educate the public on our outstanding curriculum, programs and achievements."

While Smith-Feigenbaum said she doesn't exactly know when or why the district got this so-called bad reputation, members of the committee, which met earlier this month, speculated that the diversity and school locations may scare potential students into private schools.

"When you have people saying they've heard people have moved out of the district before their child goes to the district schools ? they have to be hearing it from somewhere," she said. "We need to research why this is the case. It is all fallacy and we want to find the root of the problem."

To get to the bottom of the issue, Smith-Feigenbaum said informal community focus groups and a formal research project will be set up. Once the school district can understand what the perceptions are and where they are coming from, they will do everything they can to dispel it, she said.

Besides the focus groups and research project, Linda Meredith, superintendent for District No. 95, said an advertisement will be placed in the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce office, along with brochures and window clings that showcase the four schools and a paw print.

"I'm excited about having that available to all the visitors of Carbondale," Meredith said at Thursday night's meeting. Members of the committee also suggested providing area Realtors with brochures and revamping the district's Web site to better showcase the schools' achievements and news.

Smith-Feigenbaum urged members of the public to get involved in the campaign, adding that anyone interested should contact the district's administrative office at 457-3591 for more information.

The next Public Relations Committee meeting is slated for 5 p.m. Oct. 10 at the district's administrative office at 925 S. Giant City Road.

bethany.krajelis@thesouthern.com

351-5816