Today is the the last day on the job for Kathy Reznikov, Director of Communications for the Ladue School District. This ends her seventh school year as spokesperson.

Replacing Reznikov is former Ladue school board member Susan Dielmann, who was first elected to the board in 2004. Dielmann has a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations and a minor and marketing, and has owned and managed a direct marketing firm. “When the position of Director of Communications opened, it seemed an excellent opportunity to combine my passion for and knowldge about the District with my professional skills and experience in communications, marketing and public relations,” wrote Dielmann in her May 16 resignation letter to the board president.

Dielmann resigned from the school board position before she was officially hired. According to Brent Ghan of the Missouri School Boards Association, it is illegal for a sitting board member to be employed by a school district. The MSBA does issue recommended policy language, which says that districts “will not accept an application of employment from a Board member, consider a Board member for employment or decide to employ a Board member. Board members may provide services on a volunteer basis.” Ladue has ommitted this language from its policies.

Reznikov resigned in March and is job hunting. Marsha Chappelow, the district’s Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, Communications and Technology was named district superintendent in mid-April.