May 2025

Dear NESPRA Members,

New England school communicators continue to face unprecedented challenges. With public education and inclusionary practices under attack, along with emerging technology that is rapidly changing our profession, it’s more important than ever to support each other, stay connected, and learn from one another as we not just survive – but thrive – through these turbulent times.

2024-25 has been a momentous year for the New England School Public Relations Association. Now in our fourth year as the only association for school communicators that serves all of New England, we continue to grow at a rapid clip — both with our number of members and year-round offerings of networking and professional development. 

This school year, the Executive Board re-launched professional learning communities with members that advocated for the profession and developed valuable professional development sessions that were highly attended. Our state representatives are enhancing how they welcome and engage with members across our six states. And, we conducted three membership surveys on different topics to understand what members want and how we can improve.

This spring and summer, the Executive Board will take a deeper look at the operations and finances of our chapter to ensure long-term sustainability as we exit “startup mode.” We will continue to solidify our foundation for future Executive Board leaders and members.

We thank you for your support. Please take a moment to reflect on our collective work through this 2024-25 Annual Report.

Sincerely,

Dan O’Brien

President, NESPRA

Chief Communications Officer, Worcester Public Schools (MA)

The current chapter Executive Board took the helm at the 2024 conference last May. All current board positions are on the same two-year timeline: 2024-2026. The Executive Board is all-volunteer; there is no paid support role for the chapter at this time.

Dan O’Brien, Chief Communications Officer for the Worcester Public Schools in Massachusetts, is currently the President of NESPRA. He served as the founding Vice President from 2022-2024; he will become Past President in 2026.

Meghan Baule, Director of Communications for the Colchester School District in Vermont, is currently serving as the Past President of NESPRA. She was the founding President from 2022-2024.

Julia Mitchell, Director of Communications for Pinkerton Academy in Derry, New Hampshire, is currently the Vice President and will become President in 2026. She previously served as the founding Secretary from 2022-2024.

The additional Executive Board members are:

• Treasurer: Jennie Oesterreicher, Director of Communications, Holyoke Public Schools in Massachusetts

• Membership Coordinator: Ryan Langer, Communications Officer, Consolidated School District of New Britain in Connecticut

• Communications Coordinator: Sean Siciliano, Chief Technology Officer and Communications Director for Middleborough Public Schools in Massachusetts

• Secretary: Elaine Sein, Director of Marketing and Communications, Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) in North Haven, Connecticut

• Connecticut Representative: Patti Renaud, Director of Communications, Glastonbury Public Schools (2nd Term)

• Maine Representative: Vacant

• Massachusetts Representative: Esmeralda Silva, Communications Coordinator, Marlborough Public Schools

• New Hampshire Representative: Genevieve Brown, Director of Communications, Oyster River Cooperative School District in Durham

• Rhode Island Representative: Jennifer Cowart, Communications Specialist, Cranston Public Schools 

• Vermont Representative: Cindy Dunigan, Outreach Coordinator, Stafford Technical Center in Rutland (2nd Term)

The Executive Board’s regular meeting is held virtually once a month. Twice a year, typically in October and May, the board will meet in-person for a retreat to have in-depth discussions and conduct strategic planning. The fall 2024 retreat was hosted November 1 by Vice President Julia Mitchell at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, New Hampshire; the spring 2025 retreat was held May 8 at the Springfield Marriott Downtown in Springfield, Massachusetts.

All NSPRA chapters are required to submit an annual cash flow report to the organization according to NSPRA’s fiscal year, which runs from September 1 to August 31. NESPRA operates as an affiliate organization of NSPRA, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

From September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024, NESPRA’s total income was $28,840 and total expenses were $25,538. NESPRA collected $2,750 in membership dues, $10,090 in program registration fees, and $16,000 from corporate sponsors.

NESPRA has not changed its annual membership fee of $50 since the chapter launched in 2021-22. The 2025 conference registration fee is $125 for members and $165 for non-members, a $5 increase per category from 2024.

The board extends its deep thanks and appreciation to Jennie Oesterreicher, the chapter’s Treasurer, for her thorough attention to detail and for aligning our accounting processes with NSPRA.

NESPRA submitted a new version of chapter bylaws to NSPRA’s Executive Board for review in February 2025. 

The new draft bylaws underwent a thorough review and revision by NESPRA’s Executive Board in the fall and early winter of 2024. After NSPRA approves the new version of the bylaws, it will then require a vote of approval from NESPRA’s general membership to take effect. We anticipate sharing more information with members in the summer of 2025. 

Members may view the draft bylaws. (Please note that NSPRA has made some revisions that are not captured in this version; we anticipate sharing the new version with members in the summer of 2025 prior to a membership vote of approval.)

On October 31, 2024, NESPRA reported 121 members in our annual filing with NSPRA. Since then, our membership has continued to grow.

As of April 11, 2025, NESPRA counted 149 members. It should be noted that the annual $50 dues had been received by 135 of the 149 members. NESPRA will be instituting a process in 2025-26 to remove non-paying individuals from membership privileges.

The state breakdown of members is as follows:

• Massachusetts: 67 members (45%)

• Connecticut: 40 members (27%)

• Vermont: 21 members (14%)

• New Hampshire: 13 members (9%)

• Rhode Island: 6 members (4%)

• Maine: 2 members (>1%)

2024-25 was the first full year that NESPRA used the Wild Apricot platform to process all registrations for both chapter membership and the conference. We have also begun using the platform to send emails to members and non-members, as well as financial invoices. We anticipate expanding our use of the platform into other areas. (Special thank-you to Sandy Cokeley, Operations Consultant of the New Jersey SPRA, who was instrumental in providing technical assistance as we launched Wild Apricot.)

Our fourth annual conference will be at the Springfield Marriott Downtown, in Springfield, Massachusetts, on May 9, 2025. An evening mixer on Thursday, May 8, serves as a socializing and networking event for attendees staying overnight.

Ninety-six people are registered to attend the conference (as of April 24), surpassing last year’s registration number of 88.

This year, we have an excellent line-up of speakers, who aim to both inspire and educate our members. Conference session topics were compiled in collaboration with the Professional Development Professional Learning Community (PD PLC) and based on feedback from the 2024 post-conference member survey and the fall 2024 membership survey.

The conference is being held at the same location in Springfield, MA for the second year in a row. In the member survey that was shared in the fall of 2024, the top cities members selected for a conference location were #1: Boston, MA; #2: Worcester, MA; #3: Springfield, MA; #4: Portland, ME. Forty-nine people filled out the survey.

With the Boston area being the population center of New England, venues and parking tend to be in high demand and more expensive than other areas of the region. As a New England chapter with members located from as far north as the Canadian border and as far south as Cape Cod and southwestern Connecticut near New York City, it’s important that we choose a location that is equitable for all members.

Cost, accessibility to major highways, the feasibility of the event space, and member feedback are key factors in the executive board’s decision on choosing a location. We will continue to consider these factors as we decide on a location for 2026.

NESPRA’s Executive Board continues to enhance ways to engage with members outside of regular programming.

Since the chapter’s inception, the board has maintained a website, www.ne-spra.org, to regularly post updates and information to members. Regular e-newsletters are shared from President Dan O’Brien via Google or Wild Apricot and posted on the website.

NESPRA also maintains two social media accounts: a members-only Facebook group and a LinkedIn account.

In March 2025, NESPRA launched the use of Google Groups to encourage and facilitate two-way communication via email among all members. There is one Google Group for all chapter members, along with separate Google Groups for each state and the Executive Board.

In July 2024, NESPRA facilitated a Summer Book Club that was led by Kat Johnson, Senior Communications Coordinator for the Holyoke Public Schools in Massachusetts. Throughout the summer, members met virtually to discuss the book, Why Should the Boss Listen to You? by James E. Lukaszewski.

In November 2024, NESPRA issued a survey on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging needs of NESPRA members. The survey was developed in collaboration with the Michigan SPRA’s DEI Task Force. The questions ranged from gauging members’ knowledge and support levels to available resources to better facilitate inclusionary communications in their districts and agencies. The DEIB survey remains open as the Executive Board will be using responses to guide its strategic planning work this spring and summer. 

In October 2024, NESPRA issued a general survey to all members and received 49 responses. The purpose of the survey was to gain more specific information about member demographics and members’ needs in terms of professional development and advocacy.

A high-level summary of the survey results was shared November 18, 2024. A more thorough review of the results is shared below.

Demographic Data

Full-Time Comms Professional?

• 63% (31) are full-time school communications professionals (solely)

• 36% (18) are full-time administrators or staff positions with comms duties (i.e., administrative assistant, superintendent)

• 0% are part-time

How Long in a School Communications-Type Role?

• 29% (14) in role 6-10 years

• 25% (12) in role 3-6 years

• 22% (11) in role less than 3 years

• 14% (7) in role 15+ years

• 10% (5) in role 10-15 years

How Long in Current Position?

• 33% (16) in role less than 3 years

• 29% (14) in role 3-6 years

• 22% (11) in role 6-10 years

• 8% (4) in role 10-15 years

• 6% (3) 15+ years

• 2% (1) retired

Size of Communications Department in Your District/Agency

• 51% (25) one-person department

• 18% (9) do not have a designated communications position in district

• 16% (8) two-person departments

• 12% (6) three to five people

• 2% (1) five or more people

Current Salary Range

• 29% (14) earn $70K-$90K

• 25% (12) earn $50K-$70K

• 16% (8) earn $130K or higher

• 14% (7) earn $90K-$110K 

• 14% (7) earn $110K-$130K

• 2% (1) earn under $50K

Survey Responses By State: 

• 37% MA

• 27% VT

• 18% CT

• 8% NH

• 6% RI

• 2% ME

Chapter Membership By State:

• 149 total members as of 4/11/25

  • 135 total members who paid dues as of 4/11/25

• Massachusetts: 67 members (45%)

• Connecticut: 40 members (27%)

• Vermont: 21 members (14%)

• New Hampshire: 13 members (9%)

• Rhode Island: 6 members (4%)

• Maine: 2 members (>1%)

Size of District

• 29% (14): Less than 1,500 students

• 25% (12): Between 1,500 and 3,000 students

• 16% (8): Between 3,000 and 5,000 students

• 12% (6): Between 5,000 and 7,000 students

• 6% (3): Between 10,000 to 15,000 students

• 4% (2): Between 7,000 to 10,000 students

• 6% (3): 20,000 students or more

• 2% (1): Between 15,000 and 20,000 students

What specific skills would you like to improve upon?
(Members were asked to come up with topics on their own; this was not a multiple choice question.)

• Community Engagement (16)

• Artificial Intelligence (8)

• Media Relations (7)

• Social Media (6)

• Strategic Planning and Communications Plans (5)

• ADA Compliance / Accessibility (4)

If you attended the 2024 conference, what did you most enjoy?

(Members were asked to come up with answers on their own; this was not a multiple choice question.)

• Networking (9)

• Keynote Speaker (6)

If you did not attend the 2024 conference, what were the barriers?

(Members were asked to come up with answers on their own; this was not a multiple choice question.)

• Didn’t Know About It or I Wasn’t A Member (3)

• Family Scheduling Conflict (2)

• Difficult to Leave the Office (2)

What location would be most ideal to hold the conference? Choose three options

• Boston, MA: 18 (37%)

• Worcester, MA: 17 (35%)

• Springfield, MA: 14 (29%)

• Portland, ME: 14 (29%)

• Portsmouth, NH: 12 (25%)

• Hartford, CT: 11 (22%)

• Manchester, NH: 9 (18%)

• Burlington, VT: 9 (18%)

• Providence, RI: 9 (18%)

• Brattleboro, VT: 7 (14%)

• New Haven, CT: 7 (14%)

• Cape Cod, MA: 6 (12%)

What formats of networking do you prefer? Select two options.

• Virtual meet-ups: 35 (71%)

• In-person events: 29 (59%)

• Email list serve (Google Group): 15 (31%)

• Facebook group: 12 (24%)

How often would you like to engage with other NESPRA members?

• Quarterly: 20 (41%)

• Monthly: 14 (29%)

• Annually: 10 (20%)

• Weekly: 5 (10%)

• Daily: 0

What is your opinion about the frequency of communication you receive from NESPRA?

• The frequency of communication is OK: 47 (96%)

• I just signed up for NESPRA: 2 (4%) 

• I receive communication too often: 0%

• There is not enough communication: 0%

What do you like the most about NESPRA?

(Members were asked to come up with answers on their own; this was not a multiple choice question.)

• Networking (including in-person and virtual meet-ups): 19 (44%)

• Webinars: 10 (23%)

• Conference: 6 (14%)

• Resource Sharing: 5 (12%)

• Support When You Need It: 3 (7%)

What Areas of Improvement do you suggest for NESPRA?

(Members were asked to come up with answers on their own; this was not a multiple choice question.)

• State-level groups that meet more often (2)

• List serve like a Google Group (2)

• APR support

• Check-ins at a variety of times

• Affinity Groups

• Orientation for new members

• More Maine members

NESPRA is 100% volunteer run. Would you consider volunteering?

• Maybe in the future: 24 (49%)

• Yes: 18 (37%)

• No: 7 (14%)

NESPRA continues to rely on NSPRA for support and guidance for chapter operations. The launch of NESPRA began with a planning committee in 2021 when then-Northeast Vice President for NSPRA Angela Marshall of New York approached New England NSPRA members about the possibility of forming a New England chapter. At the time, one did not exist for the region. With the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the crucial need for school communicators, and with many New England school districts creating new communications positions, it was the perfect time to launch NESPRA.

Since then, NSPRA has been instrumental in supporting the development of NESPRA. In February 2022, the chapter’s then-President Meghan Baule and then-Vice President Dan O’Brien traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, to participate in NSPRA’s first-annual Chapter Leaders Summit, which is dedicated to assisting chapter presidents and vice presidents with operations and member engagement. Given that the chapter is maintained by all volunteers, having two days dedicated to learning from other chapter leaders was invaluable to our success. 

In the four years since, NSPRA has held annual Chapter Leaders Summits in Chicago, Sacramento, and Phoenix — the home cities of the NSPRA Presidents at the time. Current NESPRA Vice President Julia Mitchell has also attended these summits. NSPRA has paid for most of the travel expenses of the chapter leaders, reducing the financial burden on our chapter's limited resources.

NESPRA has also received tremendous guidance from current NSPRA Northeast Vice President Lori Perlow of New Jersey. Lori was the President of the New Jersey SPRA for six years while it grew from 20 members to more than 150. Her leadership has led NJSPRA to a solid operational foundation with strong working groups, member engagement, and an awards program. Through Lori’s collaboration, NESPRA has regularly connected with leaders of the New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania SPRAs to share best practices.

Finally, NSPRA has done a wonderful job engaging with NESPRA members and chapter leaders at its annual National Seminar, which is held every July. The Seminars have had record-breaking attendance of approximately 2,000 people per year over the last four years under the leadership of NSPRA Executive Director Barbara Hunter, APR. As a side note, Barbara has been extremely supportive of NESPRA, which included serving as the keynote speaker at NESPRA’s first conference at Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Lexington, Massachusetts in 2022. NESPRA is also grateful for ongoing support from the entire NSPRA staff, including Associate Director Mellissa J. Braham, APR, and (soon to be retired) Senior Business Manager Tommy Jones, among others.

The National Seminar will be held in Washington, D.C., from July 20-23, 2025, and in New Orleans in 2026. In recent years, it was held in Seattle (2024), St. Louis (2023), and Chicago (2022).