The Communications Department assists Superintendent Dr. Kirt Hartzler and helps with district management and employees in interpreting public attitudes; identifies and helps shape district policies and procedures in the public interest; and helps to provide ways to inform and involve Union’s various audiences in an effort to gain understanding and support for Union Public Schools and the services it provides.

The Communications Department provides a system for fostering open, two-way communications and good relationships between the district and its various internal audiences (students, certified employees, support employees, Board of Education members, administrators, etc.) and external audiences (parents, taxpayers, community organizations, lawmakers, businesses, etc.). 

Resources

• Acronyms
• Communicator OnLine
• District Contacts
• Forms
• Glossary
• Logo Policies
• News
• PeachJar
• Phone Messaging
• Print Services
• Social Media Policy

The Communications Department oversees a number of printed and electronic-based products, including this website, designed to inform patrons about Union Public Schools. The department also oversees the Alumni Center at the High School.

More than 40 publications are printed and include everything from handbooks, course offerings and report cards, to brochures, programs and annual reports.

Audio/video productions include bond-related videos, staff recognition videos and news coverage of the district. 

The Communications Department created a successful 2018 5-year multi-media bond election information campaign. Voters in the Union Public School District overwhelmingly passed both two propositions in the district's $128.6-million, five-year series bond, enabling completion of the Ellen Ochoa Elementary School, improvements to athletics and fine arts facilities at Union Tuttle Stadium and continued expansion of Union’s districtwide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiative.

Productions by Communications include:

• The Communicator, which is distributed electronically with occasional print editions, notably a Back-to-School edition. 
• Strategic Plan Information
• District Brochure
• The Annual Report, which contains information about awards, statistics, achievements and other miscellaneous facts.
• Bond Issue, which contains information on proposed bonds and elections
• Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, which is produced in conjunction with the Finance Division 
• Check out our YouTube Channel
• PeachJar
• Follow us Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn

Services

The Communications Department oversees all of the district’s communications programs. Those programs include serving as Union’s liaison with the media to facilitate accurate, timely and fair news coverage; supervising the creation of written and electronic publications including newsletters, brochures, videos and the web site; planning and executing information campaigns for a variety of issues including bond elections and new curriculum programs; planning and executing special events and projects; providing information, referral and follow-up to ensure prompt and courteous responses for people seeking facts and registering complaints; conducting formal and informal public relations training for staff and school-related groups; regularly evaluating communications strategies and advising the administration on communications issues; serving as the district’s liaison to the Union Schools Education Foundation; and facilitating information as part of the district’s crisis communications team.

Information distributed through students or staff must be approved by the executive director of Communications. 

Flyer Distribution System

Union Public Schools offers an electronic flyer communication tool called “Peachjar.” To view school-approved Digital flyers, simply click the Peachjar button on your school’s website homepage. For more information, see our Peachjar page.

Parents tell us Union’s automated phone messaging system is a great way to announce weather-related school closings, upcoming events, and important information. 

Phone and Text Messaging

For your convenience, we have also added a district phone message replay line where you can access recent messages sent to you by the district and/or the school your student(s) attend(s).  The Union Connect-ED Message Line is 918-357-6210.  The system searches the database by the phone number of the telephone you use to call the message line and gives you the choice of the last nine messages sent to that phone. Visit our Phone and Text Page for more information.

Graphic Design

Communications oversees designs of all major publications, and coordinates district printing.  Designs include, but are not limited to, student handbooks, boundary maps, report cards and more, complex four-color projects. 

Requests for use of the district’s registered names and logos should be directed to the manager of the UWear Store.

News, Imagery & Internet

Communications manages online content for Union Public Schools, including a website, emails, automated phone calls and various social media outlets. Communications also gathers information and photos for news distribution on print and electronic media, as well as local and national media.

Video

Communications creates videos that highlight the many exciting successes that surround Union Public Schools. Videos may be news- or featured-related and shared internally for various events or on our YouTube Channel.

Contact

Chris Payne
Chief Communications Officer / Biography

918-357-6015

Staff

• Barbara Swinburne, Executive Administrative Assistant for Communications and the Board of Education
• Hannah Hudspeth, Graphic Designer (Printing)
• Chris McNamara, Video/Communications Specialist
• Michael Vore, Webmaster/Communications Specialist (News Releases / Photography / Internet & Social Media)