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| 2007 Texas PTA Advisory Council
Larry Ascough
Larry spent more than four decades managing communications for large public school systems in Texas and Illinois, as well as for the chief state school officers of New York and West Virginia. Although he's officially retired twice, Larry stays busy working on projects and ideas he didn't have time for in the 24/7/365 world of school PR. Larry started in the school public relations business as an assistant in the publications office of the West Virginia State Department of Education. His last full-time assignment was as assistant superintendent of school/community relations in School District U-46, the second largest public school system in Illinois. During the 41years between, Larry directed public affairs for the New York State Department of Education and spent nearly three decades managing communications for the Dallas Public Schools, coincidentally Texas' second largest system. In a career that spans more than four decades, he has been widely recognized and cited for his work. A sociometric poll conducted by the PR Reporter newsletter named him one of America's most respected PR practitioners. Larry has served as a trainer, speaker and consultant throughout the country and Canada, and authored numerous articles, publications and audiovisual productions on school PR. He is a past president of the National School Public Relations Association and a recipient of NSPRA's Presidents Award, the organization's most prestigious honor for contributions to the profession. He also received NSPRA's first Mentor Legacy Award for outstanding efforts in supporting professional development of colleagues. A long-time supporter of PTA, Larry served as a board member of Texas PTA for eight years and a National PTA board member for two years. He is honored to be a life member of both Texas and National PTA. His current passion is work on establishing a university-based center for the study of school public relations, as well as a PR service for school districts without public relations staff. Larry is also writing a book about the public relations role of school superintendents, and is reworking the first draft of a movie script about public education and PR. He has also found time to continue promoting the value of public education as an active member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Texas Public Schools. Larry is married to Kay Slater who he met in 11th grade English class. They have four grown children and recently (finally) became grandparents.
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