Flossmoor School District 161 and the Village of Flossmoor have named a communications manager who will oversee marketing efforts and public information at both governmental units.
Amy Kent will serve in the newly created position. Her appointment was announced Friday in a joint press release from District 161 Superintendent Dana Smith and Flossmoor Village Manager Bridget Wachtel.
The shared position is a strategic initiative aimed to drive community engagement and enhance ongoing communications between the village, school district and local residents, the two officials said.
“This is a new position, and Amy’s extensive marketing experience and shared passion to positively contribute to the community make her the perfect addition to the Village of Flossmoor and District 161,” Wachtel said.
Plans to create the new position have been in the works for nearly a year. Kent’s efforts will reflect a shared commitment toward enhanced marketing of both the village and school district.
“Our schools are a major asset of the village and our goal is to have clear and consistent communication, to develop strong relationships and to create a vibrant and engaging district identity,” Smith said. “The shared communications position is innovative and we believe the public will benefit greatly from us working together.”
According to the press release, Kent will leverage her expertise in public relations, journalism and corporate communications “to oversee widespread marketing efforts to attract new residents, spread the good news happening in our schools, and improve residential retention in the Village of Flossmoor.”
“Our goal is to build a foundation of open communication that brings unity between the school district and the communities it serves,” Kent said. “We hope to accomplish this by leveraging the pride and determination that already exist in the area, and maximizing them to reach a greater audience.”
Prior to joining Flossmoor and District 161, Kent worked as a senior media relations strategist for TopFire Media, where she led a team of marketing professionals in the growth and publicity of more than two dozen national and international companies.
Most students in District 161 live in Flossmoor. But the district also includes sections of Homewood, Hazel Crest, Olympia Fields and Chicago Heights. There are four elementary schools and one junior high school in District 161.
According to the press release, “The shared synergy between the village and the elementary school district will enhance communication with current district families as well as the larger community of previous and future Flossmoor District 161 families.”
