Joe Jarosz
Northeast News
April 5, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — The Kansas City Public Schools have filled the role of public relations and marketing coordinator.

Ray Weikal is joining the KCPS in the role previously held by Andre Riley, who left on Feb. 19, 2014, for a position in Dallas. Riley previously held the title for the past six years.

As the coordinator, Weikal will help ensure the public and media access to information about the KCPS. Weikal will also help produce and distribute staff communications, social media and multimedia content and communications for the Board of Directors.

Weikal arrives to the KCPS with about 15 years of experience in communications, public relations and public education. His previously employed as the public relations, marketing and stakeholder communications for the International Association of Administrative Professionals, which is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo. Under Weikal’s guidance, the association significantly updated its communication tools and techniques – including the addition of multimedia and blogging content – and upgraded its social media profile.

Weikal plans to establish systems to make the department effective and efficient part of KCPS and increase the district’s use of video, mobile and web-based tools to reach those across the Kansas City community. He added the Kansas City Public Schools have turned around under the leadership and direction of Superintendent Stephen Green.

“I’m really looking forward to working with a great team and using all the emerging communications tools and techniques to serve our families,” Weikal said. “It’s been a goal of mine for years to get a job in public education. There are so many success stories to tell in our schools, so many talented students and staff doing top-notch work. I want to help bring attention to what’s working in KCPS. That’s what really gets me excited about this job.”