Baker School District hires Communications Coordinator
By Shannon McKone on Tuesday, March 9th, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
BAKER CITY – (Release from the Baker School District) Mark Witty, Superintendent of Baker 5J School District, recently welcomed Lindsey Bennington McDowell to the Baker 5J Team. McDowell will fill a new position in the district: Public Information & Communications Coordinator.
In this new role, McDowell will coordinate the District’s efforts to keep parents and the greater community informed and engaged.
“I am excited about the scope of this job,” said McDowell. “Including the ability to connect with staff, school families, and the broader community.”
McDowell spent over a decade on the Community Perspectives team as part of her job with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, where she worked closely with the Public Information team. McDowell also has experience working with international programs and was intrigued to learn that Baker 5J aspires to develop better ties with the international school community.
“We were impressed with how well Ms. McDowell’s background matches our current district profile,” said Mark Witty, Baker 5J Superintendent. “Her experience spans grant writing, project development, finance, community involvement, security, international business, and public health.”
An Oregon native, McDowell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business and Economics from George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon, and a Master of Arts degree in Diplomacy from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont.
“Having background and understanding in these areas gives her a head start related to the topics Baker 5J strives to communicate with the public,” said Witty.
McDowell was based in Portland for several years prior to moving to Eastern Oregon; and she most recently left a position with Union County’s Center for Human Development. There, she has served on the Incident Management Team for the organization’s pandemic response, where she has assisted in the planning, development, and communication of the organization’s COVID-19 response.
McDowell is the mother of two young children, ages three and five, whom she has enrolled in local preschool and kindergarten programs as they move to settle in Baker. She has come to enjoy the more relaxed lifestyle Eastern Oregon has to offer a growing family.
“I look forward to working with the Baker 5J team to help provide the best future possible for all the children in this beautiful community,” said McDowell.
About the Baker School District
Nationally recognized Baker School District 5J (BSD) is a major employer in Baker City, OR, serving 1,700 students locally with an additional 3,000 online students across the state of Oregon. Through enterprising, collaborative endeavors, BSD is creating an innovative educational foundation for future Oregonians. BSD believes strong school collaboration with local partners enables us to create vibrant communities that support lifelong learners.
