Durango School District 9-R’s new public information officer, Karla Sluis, began work at the district Monday.
Sluis has been a Durango resident for 24 years, with 18 years of experience working in various positions at The Durango Herald, which included marketing, editing and writing. For the past six years, she worked as the marketing and public relations manager for Axis Health System.
As 9-R’s public information officer, Sluis is responsible for distributing district information to 9-R staff members, students and their families, media, community partners and the public.
She says she is energized and ready to serve the school district.
“Durango schools are very close to my heart,” she said. “My two kids went all the way from kindergarten at Park to graduating from Durango High School and are now thriving in college. I’m super grateful to all the amazing 9-R teachers who helped them along the way.”
Sluis will work to develop the 9-R brand, manage print materials, provide training to staff members, lead crisis communication, promote and attend school events, and offer public engagement opportunities.
“9-R has so many great stories to share,” said Superintendent Karen Cheser. “We are excited that Karla will bring storytelling skills from her extensive career in both public relations and journalism. She understands the parent perspective and is deeply committed to our schools and community.”
Sluis enjoys hiking, paddleboarding and skate skiing and is passionate about health and wellness. She has taught Zumba fitness classes for 12 years.
Her husband, Tom Sluis, is the public information officer for the city of Durango and a former editor and writer at the Herald.
Their two adult children are currently attending colleges in Colorado.
“My daughter is studying to become a teacher in the Denver area,” Karla Sluis said. “Service to public schools runs in my family. Growing up, I graded papers for my mom, a longtime science teacher. As the PIO for 9-R, I’m taking all this love and respect for education and paying it forward.”
njohnson@durangoherald.com
