About Us
KanSPRA's History
In 1973, a group of communicators, led by John Koepke, set out to advance the cause of education in Kansas by establishing the Kansas School Public Relations Association. Koepke, director of publications for the Kansas Association of School Boards (now executive director), served as state coordinator. With the help of the charter members John Wherry, Barbara Kudlacek Long, Arlin Morgan, Sam Stitt, Charles Stuart, Jim Yonally, M.L. Williams and Murray Harris, KanSPRA was born.
Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force
Since its inception,
KanSPRA has been a leader in advancing the cause of education in Kansas. In the
fall of 1981, the KanSPRA chapter established the Confidence in Kansas Public
Education Task Force. Representatives from Kansas NEA, Kansas Association of
School Boards, United School Administrators, Office of the Kansas Board of
Regents, Kansas State Board of Education, Kansas Department of Education,
Kansas Congress of Parents and Teachers and the League of Women Voters joined
in a campaign to increase public awareness about the positive aspects of public
education.
The Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force published Kansas: The State of Education. The task force also coordinated billboards, public service announcements and the Governor's Scholars Program. They organized the Friends of Education program to honor citizens who are active supporters of public schools and created a sunflower-apple lapel pin. The Friends of Education program also developed "Parent Partnerships" packets to be distributed twice a year to individual schools for use with parents and community members.
The Task Force is chaired by Charles Volland, APR, communications coordinator for Geary County USD 475. The programs administered by the Task Force have expanded to include the annual Friends of Education Banquet, sponsored by the South Central KanSPRA regional group; the ABC awards, the Governor's Scholars awards and the Challenge Awards. For more information about the Task Force, please visit their website at: www.ksconfidencetaskforce.org.
KanSPRA Today
KanSPRA's
mission continues to be: To create an atmosphere of public trust and
understanding by leading, counseling and influencing attitudes and behavior in
support of Kansas public education.
KanSPRA's goals have evolved in tandem with the field of school district communications. Today, many school districts employ one or more communications professionals to oversee its day-to-day communications needs. Proficiency with technology and maintaining a strong website presence have become increasingly important in a district's ongoing communications efforts. Hot-button issues such as school finance, pandemic flu and crisis communications underlie the need to have a communications professional on staff.
KanSPRA continues to advocate on behalf of the school communications employee by:
- promoting universal accreditation as a means to attain professional training and status
- offering an annual professional development conference
- promoting networking, continuing education and fellowship through four state regional groups
- developing the leadership abilities among its members and encouraging all members to consider serving on the KanSPRA Board
- Encouraging members to join NSPRA, and attend the annual national seminar
- Encouraging members to increase visibility within other state organizations by writing articles, attending conferences and presenting informational sessions.
CHAPTER RECOGNITION
One goal of the strategic
plan involves partnering with educational associations throughout the state. At
the 2000 NSPRA Seminar, KanSPRA won the Distinguished Chapter Award for Year
Round Projects, one of two awards given to state associations by NSPRA.
A Blue Ribbon Chapter for 30 Consecutive Years
KanSPRA received the NSPRA
Blue Ribbon Award for the strength and professionalism of KanSPRA members in
the field of school public relations for thirty consecutive years. In 2008,
KanSPRA President Carol Pitts was one of only two state chapter presidents to
receive recognition at the annual conference for consistently maintaining Blue
Ribbon status.
The Blue Ribbon chapter designation was discontinued in 2008, and replaced with the Mark of Distinction Awards program. The first Mark of Distinction awards will be given at the 2010 NSPRA national seminar.
KanSPRA Membership
As the field of school
district communications has evolved, KanSPRA has experienced an increase in
membership, especially among administrators. Membership now totals nearly 80
Kansas superintendents and communications professionals, representing 46 school
districts.
The KanSPRA membership year is July 1 through June 30th. Annual dues are $40 for an individual membership, or $100 for three members from the same school district.
For more information about membership, please refer to the Member Services section of this website, or contact membership chairperson Nichole Asquith at nasquithmcc@olatheschools.com or 913.780.7026.
NSPRA Membership
All KanSPRA members are
encouraged to join the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).
The national organization provides numerous resources and opportunities for
professional development, including the national seminar, held in a different
major U.S. city each summer. In addition, members have the opportunity to serve
NSPRA at the regional and national level by running for office or being
appointed to committees.
Several KanSPRA members have been actively involved in the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA):
- John Wherry, a charter member of the organization, became executive director of NSPRA in 1977 and served until 1989.
- Barbara Long, retired director of communications for Topeka USD 501, served as national vice president of NSPRA.
- Dr. Marsha Chappelow, former Assistant Superintendent of Communications for Blue Valley USD 229 and currently the superintendent of Ladue Public Schools in St. Louis, Missouri served as NSPRA South Central Regional Vice President, and as President of NSPRA.
- Karen McDermott, APR, Director of Communications for Maize USD 266 serves on NSPRA's Accreditation Committee.
KanSPRA and KSDE
KanSPRA works closely with
the Kansas State Department of Education through pro-active communication to
ensure that KanSPRA members have the latest and most accurate information to
share with local audiences. KanSPRA members also assist the KSDE by picking up
state issues in their infancy and helping to drive the communications direction
that KSDE will take.
A prime example of this working relationship occurred in 1997 with the Education Report Card Communications Guide, which was developed by a committee of KanSPRA members with assistance from KSDE. The guide, with its accompanying workshops that were conducted around the state, helped hundreds of Kansas educators effectively communicate the state's building report card results to local constituents.
KanSPRA continues to maintain close ties with KSDE. Andrea Hartzell, communications specialist for KSDE is a KanSPRA member and serves in an advisory capacity to the KanSPRA Board, regularly attending Board meetings. The spring KanSPRA Board meeting is typically hosted by the KSDE offices in Topeka.