Newly-Created Public Information Officer To Work 20 Hours A Week

Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott created the new position of “Public Information Officer” to help improve communication about the Framingham Public School district.

Scott announced his hire of Justin T. Martin, a former journalist and former public information officer for the Cambridge Public Schools, at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Yesterday, after two requests by Framingham Patch, the school district said Martin would work “20 hours a week” for 12 months, and earn a salary of $60,000 a year with benefits. He started working for the district on Dec. 31, 2014, according to Framingham Public Schools Chief Human Resources Officer Paula Ceglowski.

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,” according to a press release issued by the school district.

Before budget cuts, Martin was making $89,928 a year for the Cambridge Public Schools, working full-time as its spokesperson, according to the Cambridge FY2011 budget document.

In a press release issued on Monday, Scott said Justin “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.”

Framingham is not the only school district to hire Martin.

The Cumberland, R.I. school district hired Martin’s firm as a consultant in January 2014. In December 2014, his contract was extended. The new contract increased his pay to $3,200-a-month instead of the previously approved $2,000. And his hours were increased from 20 to 32 hours per week, reported the Valley Breeze newspaper.

School administration in Lincoln, R.I. was considering hiring Martin at a $24,000 contract, but voted against it due to budget issues, reported the Valley Breeze, in another report.

Patch asked school administration, if the district specifically hired Martin or his firm Martin & Associates, a communications firm that focuses on helping schools and non-profits. That question has not been answered.

Communications has been an issue for the school district. It was also noted in the Superintendent’s review that one area he needed to improve in was communications.

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. That contract was not renewed.

Last month, the Framingham School Committee formed a Communications Committee. The Committee will have three School Committee members on it - Jim Stockless, Eric Silverman and Don Taggart.

In announcing the Committee, School Committee Chair Beverly Hugo said one goal would be to “tackle misconceptions about the schools in social media, including Facebook.”

School Committee member Andy Limeri suggested members of the media, including Framingham Patch and the MetroWest Daily News, should be invited to the committee meetings. Hugo said the Committee would consider it.

At the last School Committee Meeting, Hugo announced members of the community who would serve on the committee.

Ceglowski said Framingham’s newly-created Public Information Officer responsibilities would include:

1. Directs the implementation of an integrated communications strategy for the Framingham Public Schools incorporating podcasts, media broadcasts, written materials, social media trends and applications
2. Reviews and revises district and school websites in collaboration with Technology Services in an effort to promote school activities and initiatives
3. Coordinates publicity for the Superintendent of Schools and schools by arranging press conferences, preparing, reviewing and evaluating press releases
4. Assists Superintendent of Schools in overseeing development and completion of professional communication materials such as annual reports, professional image brochures and progressive communication materials
5. Oversees the creation of in-depth multi-media productions to highlight the Framingham Public School’s services, activities and special promotions through website development, television and social media
6. Collaborates closely with the school and district leaders on website content and design, social media outlets and other communication initiatives to enhance community and business relationships
7. Participates and plays an active role in all neighborhood and community meetings hosted by the Superintendent of Schools and or School Committee
8. Cultivates relationships and maintains contacts with external public relations representatives to foster a collaborative effort in promoting Framingham Public Schools as a premier district challenging every student and staff member to exceed expectations.
9. Identifies school department projects and programs for positive media coverage potential and facilitates deliberative strategies to promote these activities
10. Works with schools and departments to develop methods of communication to be most effective with stakeholders
11. Monitors and reviews school departmental communications to FPS all and external audiences to ensure that all departments are sending a consistent message to our targeted public
12. Works in partnership with the Chief Human Resources Officers on promoting the Framingham Public Schools as a leading employer through various outlets including: website, social media, newsletters, employee testimonials, podcasts and special events
13. Integrates District and school web sites and offsite content (Facebook page, Twitter feed, Socrata Open Data Service) to create a unified “portal” for information access
14. Focal point for implementing new channels of communication which involve new technology (mobile apps, RSS feeds, podcasts) to communicate with citizens and officials
15. Maintains and creates content for subscriber list distribution
16. Works closely with the school departments to streamline and automate posting of materials.
17. Participates in special projects and other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.