HUNTINGTON BEACH : School District Hires Part-Time PR Agent

Having eliminated its public relations officer as part of recent budget cuts, the Ocean View School District board has agreed to hire a part-time consultant to promote the district’s programs and polish its public image.

The trustees decided to hire consultant Betty Edwards for $5,500 for services through June. Edwards will compile publications to send to residents to inform them about Ocean View’s desegregation plan and its new middle schools, scheduled to open next fall.

In addition, Edwards will write news releases and keep district staff informed about the changes anticipated next year. She will revive a quarterly newsletter discontinued when the district eliminated its public information officer.

As part of $800,000 in spending cuts approved last year, trustees did not fill that position when it became vacant.

School board members have been considering ways to enhance the district’s public image since this summer, when they were strongly criticized for approving a property fee to raise money. That fee was later repealed, but trustees have since struggled to repair their relationship with some parents and residents.

District officials said the consultant is needed to help educate the public about the desegregation plan and the addition of middle schools for grades 6 through 8.

“Because of all the changes we anticipate next year, we will need a high level of communication to keep employees and the public informed,” said Lottie Hobbs, board president. “Essentially, this effort is to free up the superintendent, who has been serving in that function.”

Some critics, however, question whether the district should have a public relations consultant. “I don’t see where there’s so great a need that they need to spend almost $6,000,” said Gordon Busch, president of the Ocean View Parents Council. “That’s what we’re concerned about.’