Board debates adding a Communication Specialist; motion to create the position fails pending cost data

Board members discussed a proposed central-office Communication Specialist position intended to centralize and improve district communications, but a motion to add the position failed and the board requested more detailed cost information.

Supporters said the role would standardize messaging across schools, maintain the district website, support parent engagement and free existing staff to focus on student services. Staff said the position would report to central office, manage district communications plans and digital media tools, and could take on compliance- and training-related communication tasks. Dr. Armstrong (central office) and Miss Trammell were named as staff leads on the proposal and described responsibilities in general terms.

Opponents and some board members questioned whether a new central position should take priority over classroom staffing, asked how much of the communications work is already handled by existing central-office staff and school-based staff, and requested clear salary and budget estimates before committing. Staff offered a preliminary salary-range discussion: a starting range in the discussion was described as a beginning range of roughly $50,000 with a "total package" figure referenced around $75,000 including benefits; staff characterized these figures as initial estimates only.

A board member moved to add the position for the next school year and budget it; the transcript records that the motion failed. The board directed staff to return with a detailed job description, market-competitive salary recommendations and total cost estimates for inclusion in next year’s budget discussions.