In July, the Educational Service District (ESD) 112 Communications Department was honored with a 2024 Gold Medallion Award from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). NSPRA’s Gold Medallion Award stands as North America’s top competition focused on celebrating exceptional school public relations programs and campaigns that excel in strategic communication best practices.

ESD 112’s winning entry, “Using Research & Strategy for 17 Funding Campaigns to Achieve a 94% Success Rate,” was selected from a record number of 87 entries submitted by communication professionals across the United States and Canada.

“We are incredibly proud of our team, and the strong partnerships they have built with our partner school districts,” said Tim Merlino, ESD 112 Superintendent. “This award highlights the department’s commitment to excellence in school communications and is an honor we share with those who trusted us to support their election campaigns. We are able to do the work for which we were recognized because of their trust, collaboration, and insights.”

The ESD 112 Communications team’s comprehensive campaign recommendations, strategies, and materials, tailored to each community’s unique needs, had a significant impact. Their focused effort resulted in the passage of 16 out of 17 initiatives, including a bond in Bremerton—one of only seven bonds to pass statewide in the February 2024 election.

NSPRA’s Gold Medallion Awards are judged on several criteria, including research, planning, implementation, and evaluation. ESD 112’s strategic approach involved thorough research into school election results over the past 20 years, and recent Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) findings, ensuring compliance and effectiveness in their campaign materials. The team’s proactive measures and strategic planning ensured zero PDC findings and increased the number of approved measures by 21% compared to the previous year.

ESD 112 Communications team celebrates their Gold Medallion Award win with Battleground’s Communications Team

The eight winning entries of the 2024 Gold Medallion Awards were honored at the NSPRA National Seminar in Bellevue, WA, in July, where they were celebrated for their exceptional contributions to school public relations.

Team members recognized for the award:

  • Monique Dugaw, Executive Director of Communications
  • Melissa Burt, Senior Graphic Designer & Content Strategist
  • Justine Hanrahan, Communications Manager
  • Mika Yoshida, Assistant Director of Communications
  • Heidi Barnes, Director of Creative and Web Development
  • Fred Gunnerson, Junior Graphic and WordPress Designer
  • Xander Hayes, TV ETC Coordinator and Video Services

NSPRA Golden Achievement Award Criteria:

  • Research — Careful analysis of the need for the program/project/campaign/activity, stated goals and measurable objectives.
  • Analysis/Planning — Planning to address the program/project/campaign/activity needs, including target audience identification, budget/resource allocation, and staff responsibilities.
  • Communication/Implementation — Timelines, strategies/activities, communication components implemented as planned, and quality of support materials (print and electronic).
  • Evaluation — Assessment component included and conducted. The evaluation should measure the success of the program/project/campaign/activity and recommend future improvements or next steps.

Visit ESD 112 Communications’ website to read more about ESD 112’s winning entry.