Former reporter takes post with school district

By JEREMY GROSSMAN
Staff Writer

Being a journalist comes in handy.

In July, the Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education welcomed a new member to the team: Rebecca Morton, who will serve as the district’s special projects and communications coordinator.

Morton is no stranger to the district. She is a former reporter with Greater Media Newspapers who spent more than four years reporting on and writing about the district.

“I think working at Greater Media will have helped me tremendously,” Morton said. “Since I covered the district for most of my time there, I am familiar with the schools, their programs and so forth. It also taught me how to disseminate information to the public and to work on deadline.”

Morton’s new position involves acting as liaison to the media for any inquiries, along with keeping the district’s social media and webpage content up to date. She will record board meetings and upload them to the website, as well as work on the district’s mobile app and other special projects.

Although she hopes there will not be a repeat of last winter, one of Morton’s responsibilities will be to notify media outlets of any school closings.

“With a district this size, it makes sense to have one central person who can quickly deliver information,” she said.

Morton graduated from Brick Memorial High School, Brick Township, in 2003. She studied communications with a focus in journalism and public relations at Monmouth University, West Long Branch. After graduating, she joined Greater Media Newspapers and covered Marlboro and Colts Neck, in addition to the Freehold Regional

High School District.

Morton later worked for the Visiting Nurse Association Health Group, Red Bank, where she started as a grants assistant and was promoted to grants specialist.

Morton said her biggest goal for the 2014-15 school year will be to let people know what is going on in the high school district.

“People enjoy seeing the achievements of the students, teachers and administrators,” she said. “Whether it is an academic recognition, a successful sports event or a unique learning experience, I want to get the word out so everyone can take pride in their district.

“I am really excited to let people know what’s happening. There are a lot of talented students and staff who deserve recognition for all their hard work, and I want to make sure they receive it.”