Medford Public Schools Names New Public Information Officer

A longtime assistant of mayor Michael J. McGlynn has been named as Medford Public Schools’ Public Information officer.

Superintendent Roy Belson announced in a press release on Monday that Lisa Evangelista would become the new Public Information Officer for Medford Public Schools. The Medford School Committee voted on Dec. 7 to create the position in order to enhance the system’s public information and communications capacity.

Superintendent Belson wrote in the release:

“A structured approach to public information can enable the school system to be more completely responsive to parent and community expectations. Several area schools have personnel in place to achieve this objective. This position will help to generate for the community at large a fuller understanding of the district’s efforts to provide each student with the best possible education in an increasingly complex and sophisticated world. In an environment of fast paced social media it is critical to have a robust ability to keep the public informed and to avoid the proliferation of misinformation.”

The decision to create the position was spurred in part due to research showing that effective communication from schools positively effects parental engagement. Evangelista holds a master’s degree in public administration and has 30 years of experience in city and state government.