BUTLER TWP — The Butler School Board on Monday night voted to approve a contract with a communications coordinator, pending the solicitor's review. Kara Droney of KD Communications will work for the district at an hourly rate of $53 for a maximum of 32 hours per week.

As a contractor, she will not receive district benefits.

Superintendent Brian White said that Droney's job will be to work on the district's communications, branding, website and social media. She previously worked with White at the Chartiers Valley School District, he said.

Her job is not to communicate with the public on behalf of the district, but to put better systems in place for the district to share information and positive stories about the district and its staff and students.

“There are a lot of great things going on here, but no one outside of Butler would know about it,” White said.

White said that the expense will be within the 2017-18 budget.

School Board Vice President Jennifer Cummings said that improving the district's image could help attract or retain students.

White noted that if five district residents switch from charter school to attending school in the Butler district, the communications coordinator position will pay for itself.