Spring Lake Park Schools upgrades 13 websites for improved user experience

The Spring Lake Park Schools Board meeting on April 8, 2025, focused on a significant update regarding the district's website overhaul. Erica Tylen, the district's representative, provided an overview of the ongoing project aimed at enhancing the user experience across all 13 school websites.

Tylen explained that the current website, launched in 2018, has received positive feedback but requires a technical upgrade to improve usability and functionality. The project, part of the district's operational plan, aims to streamline content organization, optimize search capabilities, and enhance communication and marketing efforts.

The upgrade process has involved extensive research, including feedback surveys from staff and families, an audit of the existing site, and analysis of over 50 websites for best practices. Tylen highlighted the importance of user-centered design, noting that staff, families, and students participated in organizing the content through a card sorting exercise.

Key features of the new website include a simplified navigation menu, a prominent search function, and a focus on popular pages based on user data. The launch is scheduled for April 17, 2025, coinciding with a long weekend for students, allowing for any necessary adjustments post-launch.

Tylen cautioned that users may experience temporary issues during the transition, such as broken links and search delays, as the district moves to new subdomains. However, she assured attendees that the team is committed to optimizing the site for better accessibility and search engine visibility in the weeks following the launch.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to improving digital communication and user experience for students, families, and staff.