Project: WordPress multisite migration, custom build, and ongoing maintenance
Duration: 2021–present
Client: Seattle Public Schools
The Challenge
Seattle Public Schools needed a coherent web infrastructure for over 100 school websites. Each site required independent content management — principals, communications staff, and department coordinators all needed the ability to update their own sites without touching anyone else’s. At the same time, the district needed consistency: branding, accessibility, and content standards enforced across all 106 sites.
Managing 106 separate WordPress installs was not feasible. A shared platform with flexible, role-based editorial tools was the answer.
The Approach
Working with Domain7, in 2021 I helped architect and build a WordPress multisite network that brought all school sites under one managed installation, along with their intranet and public District SIte. The editorial interface was the critical design challenge: Gutenberg’s default block set is not well-suited to the structured content that school sites need — event listings, staff directories, announcements, programme pages. I built custom Gutenberg components tailored to those content types, giving editors a constrained, accessible authoring experience that produced consistent output without requiring technical knowledge.
Role-based administration meant that a principal’s editor account could manage their school’s site but had no access to other sites or to network-level settings. Content workflow efficiency improved significantly compared to the legacy system.
I produced training materials that gave the district’s communications team the ability to onboard new editors and self-support ongoing operations. This was a deliberate priority: the goal was independence, not ongoing dependency.
The engagement has continued since 2021 with ongoing maintenance, core and plugin updates, and iterative feature development as the district’s needs evolve.
Stack
- WordPress Multisite (106 sites, single installation)
- Custom Gutenberg blocks (PHP/React)
- Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
- Role-based access control (custom capabilities)
- Ongoing managed maintenance
Outcomes
- Enabled hundreds of editors to manage content across 106 websites from a single platform
- Custom Gutenberg components improved editing flexibility and content consistency
- Training materials ensured team independence after launch
- Improved content workflow efficiency across the district
- Delivered robust WordPress admin customisation for role-based management
- Provided ongoing maintenance and iterative updates since 2021
IN THEIR WORDS
What the client said
Pauline Amell Nash
Terrance has been instrumental in supporting the Seattle Public Schools web team in launching and managing our district and school site portfolio. He is responsive, detail-oriented, and consistently brings creativity to each project.
Terrance has consistently provided solutions that enhance both the user experience and the district's online presence. His collaborative approach ensures that mission-critical projects are delivered on time and to a high standard.
I highly recommend Terrance Orletsky for any WordPress dev project!