About the Office of Communications
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The Office of Communications oversees all district and school communication, marketing and translations.

Phone: 651-744-1361
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Kevin Burns
Director
- Day-to-day department oversight
- District spokesperson
- First contact for media requesting information and access to schools and administrators
- Liaison to external media (print, broadcast and digital)
- Questions about working with the media and pitching stories
COMMUNICATIONS
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
GRAPHIC DESIGN

Phone: 651-767-8112
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Kate Ryan
Communications & Marketing Senior Associate
Duties include:
- Responsible for graphic design and layout of internal and external print and digital publications
- Provides support and expertise on SPPS branding and visual marketing
- Manages bi-weekly e-newsletter (Happening Now)
- Helps oversee district social media content and strategy
- Manages SPPS Twitter and Instagram accounts
- Assists Digital Editor with digital marketing strategy, website support and email marketing
DIGITAL COMMUNICATION

Phone: 651-744-5207
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Shawn Hogendorf
Digital Editor
Duties include:
- Oversee District digital communication systems (websites, app, social media, digital projects)
- Crisis communications to families (letters, emails, phone calls, text; Connect 5)
- School and department website programming and maintenance
- District social media content and strategy
- Manage digital newsletters (The Bridge, News You Can Use)
- Content creation (photography, written communications)
VIDEO

Phone: 651-767-8107
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Jerry Skelly
Communications & Marketing Senior Associate
Duties include:
- District-wide video production (major events)
- School promotional videos
- Connect 5 training (phone, text, email)
- Digital video integration
- Website special projects
- District wide photos (students, teachers, events, etc.)

Phone: 651-744-5076
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Rich Currier
Audio Visual Technician
Duties include:
- District videographer and editor
- Audio/visual technical support (schools, departments, programs)
- Saint Paul Cable Channel 16 video programming
- Electronic/Video bulletin board support
TRANSLATIONS

Phone: 651-767-8334
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Alejandra Bosch
Translations Manager
Duties include:
- Translation services (Hmong, Karen, Somali and Spanish)
- ConnectEd phone messages (Hmong, Karen, Somali and Spanish)

Phone: 651-767-8395
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Joanne Vang
Hmong Translation Specialist
Duties include:
- Hmong translations
- District Hmong communication line
- ConnectEd phone messages
- Voice-over of school and district videos

Phone: 651-767-8354
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Kawlahay Zan
Karen Translation Specialist
Duties include:
- Karen translations
- District Karen communication line
- ConnectEd phone messages
- Voice-over of school and district videos
Phone: 651-744-5264
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Abdullahi Soyan
Somali Translation Specialist
Duties include:
- Somali translations
- District Somali communication line
- ConnectEd phone messages
- Voice-over of school and district videos
DISTRICT AND DEPARTMENT SUPPORT

Phone: 651-767-8110
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Kathy Weyandt
Program Assistant
Duties include:
- Oversee CMD accounts payable
- Project support for CMD
- Director Office administration
- District Event Coordinator and Planning
- Board BOE recognitions
- Oversee CMD accounts payable

Phone: 651-767-8181
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Brandi Cavalletti
Management Assistant 2
Duties include:
- Administrative Support for CMD Director
- Budget/expense tracking, purchases, requisitions and vendor payments
- District calendar updates
- Employee onboarding
- Meeting coordinator/CMD meeting agendas
- NAAPID point person
- Crisis Handbook
- District event support
- Information/contact updates (staff, resources, PTO/PTA)