Feb. 21, 2020

Lee’s Summit, Feb. 20, 2020: The Lee’s Summit R-7 School District Board of Education approved the employment of a new executive director of public relations at the Board’s Feb. 20 meeting.

Katy Bergen, the district’s assistant director of public relations, will serve as the district’s executive director of public relations beginning March 1. She is replacing Kelly Wachel, who resigned from the district for a new job opportunity in November 2019.

Former communications director Janice Phelan, who retired from the school district in June of 2018, has served the district as a part time interim executive director of public relations since November and ended her interim role earlier this month.

“I am thrilled to have Ms. Bergen on the R-7 team as I prepare to join Lee’s Summit R-7 Schools for the 2020-21 school year,” incoming Superintendent Dr. David Buck said.  

Ms. Bergen joined Lee’s Summit R-7 Schools last year after spending a decade as a journalist covering K-12 and higher education, as well as state and local government, business and sports business. She is a member of the Missouri School Public Relations Association and a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism.

“It’s an honor to lead the district’s communications efforts during an exciting time for R-7 Schools,” Ms. Bergen said. “I’m eager to uphold Lee’s Summit R-7 Schools’ tradition of excellence while exploring new and innovative ways to engage with our school community as we welcome Dr. David Buck as superintendent, prepare for our April 7, 2020 bond issue and continue to serve and celebrate R-7’s students, staff and families.”

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