Dr. Kevin Whitaker, Jamestown schools superintendent, took a moment during Tuesday’s school board meeting to thank Cathy Panebianco who is retiring. For more than two decades, Panebianco has helped highlight students, share success on school programs and projects, and distribute messages from the district to parents and the public.

Whitaker noted that many of the events Panebianco covered over the years were highly stressful and sometimes emotional.

“You always come through and you always write great prose,” Whitaker said. “And you’re always open to editing, which is really nice from my perspective, and the messages that you craft are always caring and heartfelt and informative.”

He added, “Thank you for your time and your energy and your talents and your photography and everything that you do for our school district.”

Cameron Hurst

Panebianco said she’s been lucky to work with the district for the last 22 years.

“There’s just really no better place to work,” she said. “I mean, from the staff to the kids to the administrators to the Board of Education. I mean, there’s so many good things that go on in this district that people don’t always realize. And I tried my best over the past few years to really highlight that in some way.”

Panebianco said some may have a negative opinion of Jamestown and the community

“It is far from that when you walk in the hallways here,” she said. “It’s a real place of joy. Working with the kids was my favorite part of the job.”

School board members on Tuesday also approved the appointment of Cameron Hurst as the district’s new public relations specialist.

Hurst, a 2016 graduate of Jamestown High School, currently serves in a similar position for the Springville-Griffith Institute and Pine Valley central school districts via Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES. Prior to that, he served as public relations specialist at SUNY Jamestown Community College and as a staff and sports reporter for The Post-Journal.

“Not only did Cameron impress the interview committee with his knowledge and experience, but his lifelong connection to Jamestown and to JPS gives him a uniquely powerful perspective,” Whitaker said in a statement. “Given the media relationships that he already has in Jamestown, and his long-term connection to the school district and all of its goings-on, this is going to be the perfect fit. We welcome Cam back with open arms.”

Hurst will take over at the end of September.

He said he is excited to return to his alma mater to help promote the district.

“I am grateful to Dr. Whitaker and the search committee for the opportunity to return home to Jamestown Public Schools,” he said. “As a graduate of Jamestown High School, I am energized by this chance to serve the district in the best way I know how: telling stories. For so long, I’ve been inspired by the many wonderful students and staff who make the district a special way to learn and grow. To work among them and to help spotlight their work is the honor of my career.”