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Newburgh board approves $65,000 contract for PR firm after public debate
Summary
The Newburgh City School District board voted to hire the Donovan Group for public-relations work at a cost of $65,000 after community members and several board members debated whether the money should be spent on communications or redirected to classrooms.
The Newburgh City School District Board of Education approved a $65,000 contract with the Donovan Group to provide public-relations services, voting 5-3 after extended public comment and board discussion.
The decision came during the board’s consideration of agenda item 5.2, a resolution to approve a request for proposals and accept the Donovan Group’s proposal. Acting Superintendent Miss Peterson told the board the RFP sought firms that could help with recruitment, assess the district’s crisis and routine communications, and advise on outreach and community-engagement protocols. "We put a request out for proposals for a PR firm," Miss Peterson said, explaining the firm would review communications practices, support recruitment efforts and consult on crisis communications.
Why it matters: Supporters said the district’s communications staff is understaffed and a consultant can help showcase positive school work and support recruitment; opponents said the money would be better spent directly in classrooms. Public commenters urged both outcomes: David Rhine called the…
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