Board Renews Contract With Public Relations Firm

Success Communications will continue to serve as the school district’s public relations firm.

The approved a $30,000 expenditure Thursday to renew the firm’s contract with the district. Success will be paid $2,500 a month from July of this year to June of 2013.

“We think this is essential. This has been an issue of concern for many years. We need to improve our communication,” said board trustee Laura Stinziano. “We are moving this district forward. Having successful communication, both internally and externally, is essential to our district, especially in the day and age of technology we are living in.”

Success has created accounts for the district on YouTube, Google+, and Twitter. It also created a Facebook page and helped redesign the district’s Web site since it was hired in March.

Residents have been critical of the hiring, but district officials have said that the move was a necessary one. Board trustee Robert Ceberio said Thursday that the district has hired communications professionals before.

“The superintendent can’t do it alone and we support him,” Stinziano said.

Superintendent Ray Gonzalez issued a statement Thursday night regarding the decision. He called news of the ongoing relationship “extremely good news.”

Gonzalez wants to ensure two-way engagement between the district and residents.

“Having benefitted from the input of various experts on the latest communication technologies and strategies, we've recently made dramatic strides by upgrading the district's Web site and establishing a robust presence on such key social networking utilities as Facebook and Twitter,” Gonzalez said. “Now, looking ahead to the 2012-2013 school year, I'm enthusiastic about even further enhancing our capacity to share relevant information."

Improving communication “among all members” of the district for the 2012-2013 school year.

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