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Public Relations
Oversees Public Relations for the school district and partnership development
Justine W. Sutley, APR, Director

Goal: To communicate with publics associated with the school system in order to celebrate student and staff achievements, promote the outstanding programs in our school system, and provide pertinent information related to all aspects and departments of the school system. Objectives: 1. To promote the positive/success stories, as well as the informational items, to the news media for coverage.
Schools submit information to the department, which is communicated internally and forwarded to local media. As news stories develop that attract the interest of regional or national media, PR staff provide facts about incidents, explains policy, and responds to specific inquiries. 2. To provide up-to-date information to publics using the Lafayette Parish School System’s website. The web page for the Public Relations Department is continuously updated with information of importance to parents, students, teachers and other employees, as well information requested by members of the public.
3. To assist school system departments with publications and other communication needs. Public Relations staff members work with the Office of Child Welfare and Attendance on the update of necessary information, layout and printing of the Student Handbook and Code of Coduct; work with Student Services on the layout and printing of the High School Course Guide; and compile Board Notes, a summary of action taken at each School Board meeting. All of these publications are added to the Public Relations web pages for easy access by the public. In addition, the department compiles information for telephone directories, annual reports, and zoning information. This information also can be found on the district website.
4. To assist the district utilization of Connect-Ed, its outbound calling system, for emergencies and other information needs. The Public Relations department works closely with MIS on data management of student and employee information; provides information, training and ongoing assistance to schools and departments using the system to communicate with students and/or employees.
Public Relations Department Staff Justine W. Sutley, APR, Director Sutley is in charge of public relations for the school system, reports to Superintendent James H. Easton, Ed.D., and assists the district as a member of the superintendent's School Support Team. In addition to managerial duties, she handles publications (layout, design, printing), news releases, board recognitions, web site updates, electronic newsletters, and special events.
Sutley has a master's degree in Communications with an emphasis on Public Relations. She studied under the direction of Kathleen S. Kelly, Ph.D. APR NFSE Fellow PRSA, author of two textbooks on Fundraising and a recognized expert in Public Relations. Sutley earned her Accreditation in Public Relations from the Universal Accreditation Board in February 2001. She has 25 years experience in news reporting, media relations, and public relations. Sutley has been Public Relations Director for the Lafayette Parish School System since 1997.
Phone: 337.521.7045
FAX: 337.521.7043 jwsutley@LPSSonline.com
Michael J. Aguirre, Intern/Assistant Aguirre supports the department with his experience in web design and news writing. He has a master's degree in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations. He has worked part-time with the Public Relations Department since 2003. Phone: 337.521.7044 FAX: 337.521.7043 publicrelations@LPSSonline.com
Bonnie Waide, Receptionist Waide recently joined the school system after relocating to Lafayette from Virginia. She has experience as both a school and central office secretary/receptionist. Waide is located at the front desk and is the first person most people see when they visit the Central Office. She greets the public who visit or call the Lafayette Parish School System. Phone: 337.521.7040 FAX: 337.521.7043 bawaide@LPSSonline.com Printer Friendly Version
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