Hoosac Valley Regional school committee establishes Public Relations subcommittee

The Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee voted unanimously on Oct. 21 to establish a Public Relations subcommittee to improve how the committee shares information with residents.

Erin Milne proposed the new subcommittee, saying the committee currently has “no way for S.C. to communicate with the public” and that public relations fall within the committee’s responsibilities under district policy. The motion, seconded by John Duval, was adopted in accordance with HVRSD Policy BDE. The subcommittee will comprise three members appointed annually by the chair and will serve until the 2025 School Committee organizational meeting, with the option to renew annually thereafter.

The subcommittee’s charge, as described in the motion, is to carry out duties of public relations as expressed in Policy BBA, including providing “adequate and direct means for keeping the local citizenry informed about the schools and for keeping itself and the school staff informed about the needs and wishes of the public.” John Duval and Erin Milne volunteered to serve, and the motion passed unanimously.

Chair Adam Emerson asked how the subcommittee would coordinate with building-level staff and the superintendent; Milne said press releases would still be handled through the superintendent’s office but the subcommittee would focus on communicating committee work. The committee did not set a publication schedule; next steps include formal appointments by the chair and a subcommittee launch before the next school committee meeting.