From handling a school district crisis, to promoting a successful program or steering through difficult contract negotiations, virtually all school districts need to communicate regularly with the public and work with the media. NJSBA’s School Public Relations Forum, scheduled for Friday, April 7, will provide the tools your board and district need to get your message out.
The NJSBA School PR Forum: Get Your Message Out, will include three distinct segments:
- Public Relations on a Shoestring Communicating with the public is an essential task for every school district, no matter the size of the district’s budget. This program will present an overview of the essentials each district needs for school communications – and how schools can effectively connect with their community and enhance their reputation. Presented by Lori Perlow, admissions officer/community liaison, Mercer County Technical Schools, and president of NJ School Public Relations Association (NJSPRA).
- Working with the Media School districts want to get their best message out, but they often must depend on the media to do it. A panel of media professionals will discuss how districts can best work with print and online press to get their news out. Panelists include Michael Shapiro, CEO and Publisher of TAPinto.net; Amanda Oglesby, an education and metro reporter for the Asbury Park Press; and Jeanette Rundquist, communications officer for NJSBA and a former Star-Ledger reporter. NJSBA Deputy Executive Director/Communications Director Frank Belluscio will moderate.
- Communicating During Negotiations Contract negotiations are an essential job of a school board, but while there is much the board may want to say while negotiations are ongoing – communication must be prudent. Patrick Duncan, manager of NJSBA’s Labor Relations unit, will present information on how and when to communicate with the public and press during labor negotiations.
The NJSBA School PR Forum will take place on Friday, April 7, from 9 a.m. (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.) to 1:30 p.m., at NJM Insurance Group, 301 Sullivan Way, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0227.
The program includes continental breakfast and lunch; 2 Board Member Academy credits are provided. The cost is $75 for members. Online registration is available here. For more information, contact Ann Marie Smith at (609) 278-5209 or by email.