laurieweidner.com

what i do

Reputation Management & Proactive Crisis Communications

Is your district or school in the eye of a reputation-related storm? Or, is a crisis brewing? I have led more than 200 school districts through volatile reputation crises, labor conflicts and natural disasters. I am FEMA certified as a Public Information Officer.

Parent/Family Communication & Engagement

Reputation Management & Proactive Crisis Communications

Did you know that parent/family engagement is required under ESSA? I am a parent/family program expert and the CEO of Parent Education Partners. I build customized research-based culturally relevant plans and solutions to engage highly diverse parents/families to improve student outcomes.

Enrollment Growth

Reputation Management & Proactive Crisis Communications

Enrollment Growth

Across the nation, public schools are experiencing unprecedented enrollment declines due to the pandemic and the migration to online instruction and alternative school schedules. I have a track record of developing strategies to increase enrollments. I hold a National Gold Medallion Award from the National School PR Association for a comprehensive marketing communications plan that reversed the declining enrollment pattern of an urban school district.

Budget Advocacy

Communications Mentorship & Training

Enrollment Growth

Most states are projecting significant budget shortfalls due to the economic downturn resulting from the spread of the COVID-19 virus. School budgets will be impacted as will staffing and the availability of resources. I will craft and implement a structured advocacy plan to ensure your budgetary needs are prioritized by lawmakers.

External Relations and Partnerships

Communications Mentorship & Training

How are you cultivating external partnerships to strengthen support for your schools and expand opportunities for students? I devise and implement external relations programs, work with educational foundations to bolster donations, and cultivate private-sector support. Delegate your most important projects to me to get them done.

Communications Mentorship & Training

I coach superintendents and board leaders to enhance their communications skills and personal brands. I lead professional development for teachers and paraeducators to strengthen school-to-home communication.

Why retain my services?

I know my stuff. I have worked with more than 200 school districts. I know the policy landscape as an insider and former Cabinet-level leader. I have served as a trusted advisor to superintendents and school board leaders for three decades. I will achieve your objectives on time and on budget. And, I am enjoyable and easy to work with. I team well with cross-functional teams, and am skilled at project management. You can trust me to accomplish your objectives with sound strategy, good judgement and efficiency.

Find out more

About Me

I am an education policy expert and national award-winning communicator who has dedicated my career to helping school districts grow enrollments, expand community support and navigate tricky crisis situations. For 15 years, I led one of the nation's prominent school public relations firms. I also spent seven years in Cabinet-level roles with the California School Boards Association and the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Most recently I served as the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Public Affairs for the California State University Office of the Chancellor, the nation's largest four-year higher education system.

Let's set up a time to talk by phone or Zoom.