DeKALB | The search for a community liaison within the DeKalb School District is finally over.

Lynette Hallauer started August 1 as the DeKalb school-community relations liaison and has already brainstormed ideas for improving communications between the schools’ staffs and the community.

The position is meant to improve communications within the school district, between the school district and the community and also between the school district and the media, said Paul Beilfuss, DeKalb School District 428 superintendent.

One year ago, a committee helped develop a new belief, mission and strategy statement.

Many of the strategies focused on improving communications, Hallauer said, and the committee felt a need for someone in a position focused on improving communications.

A process of advertising, calling back, and interviewing for the position began.

A committee of people, including school board members, building principals, teachers and professionals from the community gave a recommendation to Superintendent Beilfuss regarding whom they agreed would be a good person for the position.

“It’s different every day,” Hallauer said. “Sometimes I’m out at a school taking pictures. Sometimes I’m here writing or in meetings.”

With two children in the DeKalb School District and experience volunteering within the school district on various school improvement committees — the DeKalb Education Foundation, and the parent-teacher association — Hallauer already has plans for her position, such as creating a staff newsletter, forming a communications committee to aid with giving direction, and reaching out to DeKalb’s diverse populations, Hallauer said.

“We’re very pleased that we have someone in this staff position,” Beilfuss said. “Our budget is $50 million. One would be hard pressed to find an organization of that magnitude that doesn’t have someone in that position.”

Michelle Gilbert is a City Reporter for the Northern Star.