CVSD board names spokesperson

The Central Valley School District Board of Directors selected a new public information officer at its meeting Monday night.

Melanie Rose, 42, was picked from a field of 27 candidates who applied for the job left vacant by Skip Bonuccelli.

Bonuccelli, who worked for Central Valley for 31 years, took over as principal of St. Charles Catholic School in north Spokane this year.

Rose, currently a marketing manager at Eastern Washington University, was previously the public information officer for the Spokane Regional Health District for several years.

“She comes very highly recommended in the business community,” said Superintendent Mike Pearson.

Rose has 16 years of experience in the communications and public relations fields.

She earned accreditation from the Public Relations Society of America in 2003 after going through a voluntary certification program. Only 12 public relations professionals in Washington State have the same accreditation.

“I’m told this is pretty prestigious,” Pearson said. “It shows she’s a lifelong learner, so we are excited about that.”

Rose has a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University in business and a master’s degree from Seattle University.

She also has worked for a communications subsidiary of Avista Corp., and for Spokane County, where she was in charge of the countywide Commute Trip Reduction Program.

“I’m really looking forward to being involved in the community and with education initiatives,” Rose said.

She is scheduled to start with the district Oct. 11.