In Georgia, DeKalb County Schools are facing many questions about what the proper use of school funds may be. $ 115 million is due to be cut from the DeKalb County Schools budget – just for the next year. The very same time they’re making deep cuts, the school district is acting like it has money to lend to a PR firm. What's the justification for this DeKalb County Schools move?
Cutting out spending budget items at DeKalb County Schools
The issue of deep budget cuts can be addressed at DeKalb County Schools next Monday. Like just about every other school district around the country, DeKalb County Schools have to cut their spending at the same time their costs are rising. There has been discussion of potentially closing schools, though the district has instead elected to cut 430 jobs when delaying school closures.
DeKalb County Schools purchasing for a PR Firm?
It is no surprise that the DeKalb County Schools district feels that they have a PR problem – spending budget cuts and pending lawsuits and more. It's not surprise that DeKalb County Schools feel they need help, given all these issues. DeKalb County Schools’ website says the PR firm would be asked to help with “crisis response management” and “creation of good will”.
What this will cost DeKalb County Schools
The possibility that DeKalb County Schools will be hiring an outside public-relations firm is leaving many wondering about use of school funds. The directors are saying the contract would be capped at $ 25,000 – relatively little within the world of PR budgets. The school district is not planning on cutting any line items to pay for the PR firm contract, but they will take the cash out of "communications budget".
Should DeKalb County Schools hire a PR firm?
The real question is – should DeKalb County Schools be spending the $ 25,000 to hire a public relations firm? This question is one that could be very tough to answer. There is a five-person communications team already employed by the school district. However, the district recognizes that it has a public relations problem. Most schools are funded with local tax dollars. When a school starts into a downward PR spiral, they can find themselves floundering. At the exact same time, when budgets are being tightened and teachers are losing their jobs, should a school district really be spending extra cash? When the job is already taken care of by five separate internal employees, should they pay an outside firm to do the exact same thing. How do you think they should deal with this?
Resources:
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/dekalb-schools-looking-to-519172.html
11alive.com
http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=143643&catid=3
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