Framingham Schools Hire Part-Time Public Information Officer

Framingham Public Schools Superintendent Stacy Scott announced he has hired Justin Martin, as the district’s new “part-time public information officer.”

Scott announced the hire at the Framingham School Committee’s meeting on Tuesday night, Jan. 6.

On Wednesday morning Jan. 7, Framingham Patch requested the following information from Scott and his administration: a resume, a job description, the salary, number of hours Martin would work weekly, his start date, and goals of the newly-created position.

Yesterday morning, Jan. 12, Scott’s office issued a press release to Patch and other media outlets, answering some of the requested information.

Patch, yesterday afternoon, made a second request for Martin’s start date, his hours per week, the cost of the position for taxpayers, and the official job description.

Patch also asked school administration yesterday, if the district specifically hired Martin or his firm Martin & Associates, a communications firm that focuses on helping schools and non-profits.

In January 2014, the Framingham Public Schools hired a Virginia-based public relations firm to better communicate with parents and the community. No cost was included in the press release. Framingham Patch made a request for the bids and discovered the firm was to be paid $40,000.

Below is the press release issued to Patch and other news media on the hiring of the newly-created position of public information officer:

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Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stacy L. Scott announced the hiring of Justin Martin as the school district’s part-time Public Information Officer.

In his role, Mr. Martin will work directly with the Superintendent on all strategic communication initiatives for the Framingham Public Schools, including collaboration with all Schools and School Departments, and community stakeholders. He is responsible for delivering information on behalf of the school through various communication outlets to diverse audiences.

“Justin will be directing the implementation of an integrated communications strategy for the Framingham Public Schools, incorporating podcasts, media broadcasts, written materials, social media trends and applications,” Dr. Scott said. “He will support the review of district and school websites in collaboration with Technology Services in an effort to increase awareness of school activities and initiatives, and support the development and completion of professional communication materials such as annual reports, informational brochures, and progressive communication materials that help our community stay informed and aware all that happens in our district.”

He will also serve on the School Committee’s newly formed communications advisory committee

A former journalist, Mr. Martin’s background includes serving from 2005-2010 as the Public Information and Communications Officer for the Cambridge Public Schools. From 2010-2012, he served as director of external relations for Community Charter School of Cambridge. He was the director of marketing communications for Landmark College in Putney, Vermont from 2013-14, before founding Martin & Associates, a non-profit strategic communications firm dedicated to helping schools and non-profits share their story.

Mr. Martin is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island.