EBR schools spokesman leaving for another job

After six years, Chris Trahan, the top spokesman for the East Baton Rouge Parish school system, is leaving to take a job with a local communications firm, according to an announcement from Trahan on Thursday morning.

He said he’s taking a job with Covalent Logic, a local integrated communications firm, as senior corporate communications manager where he will focus on strategy, writing and client relations.

Friday will be his last day as director of communications and community engagement for the school system, the second largest in Louisiana, he said.

Sonya Gordon, the school system’s public information officer, will take over in the interim.

“I have made great, lasting friendships. And each of you has helped me grow professionally here in Baton Rouge,” Trahan said in his parting message.

Comments

1) Comment by Noel Hammatt - 06/09/2012

Chris Trahan has done an admirable job against incredibly negative community opposition to public schools. He has served in this position for 6 years, longer than the average for most Public Information Officers. He and I have had our differences, at times, but I found him to be a very hard-working and competent professional. The public schools of Baton Rouge are SO MUCH BETTER than most in the public believe, and much of that "belief" can be ascribed to a total lack of understanding of all of the different factors that impact student achievement. That lack of understanding has been heavily supported by people making very good money on the privatization of public schools! The newspaper, specifically Will Sentell, has never sought to provide an informed, balanced approach to reporting about the EBR School system. Charles Lussier has had a yeoman's task in trying to get accurate information out in spite of the abusive nature of Will Sentell's constant attacks on public education in general, and EBR in particular. I wish Chris Trahan all the best in his new endeavors, and I also commend the system for allowing Sonya Gordon a chance to make her mark in the top position. She too is a consummate professional. Like many in EBR, the two of them have worked hard every day to improve the education of the public school students of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. They, and the rest of the employees of the system, deserve much better than the abuse spewed upon them daily by people who have no clue about the truth, nor, in the case of The Advocate, is it clear they would print the truth!

2) Comment by tradewinns - 06/09/2012

getting out before you have to explain another upcoming failing school year. caint blame you.

3) Comment by nimby? - 06/09/2012

working within the EBR school system is frustration , emotionally and physically draining ...