Cheney School District hires spokesman

CHENEY – Mitchel Palmquist, Cheney School District's new communications director, comes to his new position with years of experience working with schools in Spokane County.

Palmquist was the communications director for the Catholic Diocese of Spokane for five years, where he oversaw a communications program for the large religious institution, including 13 elementary schools, according to a Feb. 23 press release.

"The chances where I got to share positive stories and exciting news for the school was always really enjoyable part of the job," Palmquist said.

He also has experience working with the Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington as a communications consultant and an operations manager at the House of Charity Shelter.

Palmquist is excited for an opportunity to help grow the Cheney School District and feels that a large portion of his job revolves around getting the community to understand how their local school district impacts the students and the community at large.

"It's (the school district) an intersection of a lot of exciting and important things in our communities, so it's a great place to share those positive stories and make connections across the region," Palmquist said.

Palmquist's first order of business is getting the lay of the land, so he's putting in the road work necessary traveling to all the schools within the district that spans 380 square miles.

"I've been hitting the road and getting to know the people in the schools," Palmquist said.