Polk County Public Schools

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Community Relations

Administration

Leah Lauderdale, APR, CPRC
Senior Director of Community Relations

Kim Johnson
Senior Director's Secretary
534-0698

Public Relations

Our goal is to provide members of our community with up-to-the-minute news and information on public schools in Polk County.

Staff List

Name: Title and Responsibility: Phone:
Martin Bahl Market Analyst
Responsibilites:writing, editing, internal & external communications, media relations
534-0699
Teresa O'Brien Communications Specialist
Responsibilites: special events coordination, media relations support 1, School House News
534-0699
Tia Rigsby Communications Specialist
Responsiblities: management & updates of CR website, graphic design, publications, media relations support 2
534-0699
Elaine Chandler Sr. Switchboard Operator 534-0500
Reta Jackson Assistant PBX Operator/Receptionist 534-0604

Community Involvement

Provides a variety of information on how you can start getting involved in public education as a business or community organization.

Staff List

Name: Title: Phone:
Margaret Anne Wheeler Senior Coordinator of Community Involvement 534-0636
Rebecca Keener Clerk Specialist, Community Involvement  
Carrie Rodgers Clerk, Community Involvement  
Ann Lewis Mentor Facilitator, Community Involvement  
Barbara Huffstutler Service Learning Facilitator, Community Involvement  

Broadcast Communications

Our goal is to provide the citizens of Polk County with a quality source of news and information about the programs and services offered by the Polk County School Board. We welcome your input as we continue to develop this valuable communications tool as a link between homes and schools.

Staff List

Name: Title and Reponsibilites: Phone:
Mike Brown Media Production Analyst
Responsibilites: broadcast communications, media production supervision, audio/video design, technical support
534-0686
Jeff Fraker A/V Specialist
Responsibilites: media production, audio/video support, technical support
534-0686
Tiffany Ellis Responsibilities: media production, audio/video design, audio/video support, technical support 519-8259

Awards and Distinctions

It is an honor for the Department of Community Relations to be recognized for the quality of our work. The programs and projects on this page are representative of the good work that the PCSB Department of Community Relations produces daily with the united goal of providing rigorous, results-driven educational opportunities for Polk students.

2008 IPAF Silver Addy Award
Presented by the Polk Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. For a TV campaign designed for Teacher Appreciation Week

2008 IPAF Silver Addy Award
Presented by the Polk Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. For a digitally enhanced photography used in the Leadership Lakeland Alumni Education Presentation

2007 Florida Public Relations Association ~ Judges' Award, State Level
For the "I Teach" video and poster campaign to commemorate 2007 Teacher Appreciation Week.

2007 Sunshine Medallion Award ~ 1st Place, Large District
Presented by the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association. For the "Zero Tolerance" anti-expulsion poster campaign that resulted in a 20% decrease in the number of weapons-related expulsions in our district.

2007 Sunshine Medallion Award ~ 1st Place, Large District
Presented by the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association. The second year in a row our district's annual report has received accolades as a public relations tool.

2007 IPAF Gold Addy Award
Presented by the Polk Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. For a poster series designed for Teacher Appreciation Week.

2007 IPAF Silver Addy Award
Presented by the Polk Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. For event materials created for the 2007 Teacher of the Year Campaign.

2007 IPAF Silver Addy Award
Presented by the Polk Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. For the logo design of Sleepy Hill Elementary.

2006 Adele Graham Award
Presented by the Florida Association of Partners In Education to Community Involvement Coordinator Margaret Anne Wheeler for significant service to the Florida School Volunteer Program.

2006 Sunshine Medallion Award
Presented by the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association. For the district's annual report as public relations tool.

2006 Sunshine Medallion Award

Presented by the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association. For the "Where's Sam?" Florida/Polk County Teacher of the Year Campaign.

2006 IPAF Silver Addy Award
Presented by the Polk Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. For an invitation designed for the ribbon cutting of Chain of Lakes Elementary