The board recognizes the value of and supports open, fair, and honest communication with the news media.  The board will maintain a cooperative relationship with the news media.  As part of this cooperative relationship, the board and the media will develop a means for sharing information while respecting each party’s limitations.

Members of the news media are encouraged and welcome to attend open board meetings.  The board president shall be the spokesperson for the board and the superintendent shall be the spokesperson for the school district.  It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in consultation with the board president, to respond to inquiries from the news media about the school district.

Members of the news media seeking information about the school district shall direct their inquiries to the superintendent.   The superintendent shall accurately and objectively provide the facts and the board positions in response to inquiries from the news media about the school district.

Approved:  07-01-92             
Reviewed:  12-13-99, 12-09-02, 01-09-06, 02-05-09, 12-14-15              
Revised:  5-17-22                              

The board president on behalf of the board and the superintendent on behalf of the school district, may hold a news conference or respond to a request for an interview with the news media. It is the responsibility of the board president and the superintendent to keep the board apprised of news conferences and interviews.

News conferences and interviews planned or prearranged for school district activities may include a representative of the board and the superintendent.   News conferences for issues requiring an immediate response may be held by the superintendent. It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to determine whether a news conference or interview shall be held to provide an immediate response to an issue.

School district personnel will refer interview requests and information requests from the news media to the superintendent.  School district personnel may be interviewed or provide information about school district matters only after receiving permission from the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee.  It will be within the discretion of the superintendent to allow the news media to interview and to receive information from school district personnel.

Approved:  07-01-92             
Reviewed:  12-13-99, 12-09-02, 01-09-06, 02-05-09, 12-14-15
Revised:  5-17-22                                                      

The superintendent, in consultations with the board president when appropriate, shall determine when a news release about internal school district and board matters will be made.  In making this determination, the superintendent shall strive to keep the media and the school district community accurately and objectively informed.  Further, the superintendent shall strive to create and maintain a positive image for the school district.  It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to approve news releases originating within the school district prior to their release.

News releases will be prepared and disseminated to news media in the school district community.  Questions about news releases shall be made to the superintendent.

Approved:  7-1-92     
Reviewed:  12-13-99, 12-09-02, 01-09-06, 02-05-09, 12-14-15
Revised:  5-17-22                                                      

Generally, students may not be interviewed during the school day by news media. The students shall refer interview requests and information requests from the news media to the central administration office in their building.

It shall be within the discretion of the principal, after consulting with the superintendent, to allow or disallow the news media to interview and to receive information from the student while the student is under the control of the school district.  The superintendent and/or principal may contact the student's parents regarding a request from the news media to interview a student.

Approved:  7-1-92                 
Reviewed:  12-13-99, 12-09-02, 01-09-06, 02-05-09, 12-14-15
Revised:  5-17-22                                           

Individuals may broadcast or record public school district events, including open board meetings, as long as it does not interfere with or disrupt the school district event and it does not create an undue burden in adapting the buildings and sites to accommodate the request.

It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to determine whether the request is unduly burdensome and whether the broadcast or recording will interfere with or disrupt the school district event.

Recording of classroom activities will be allowed at the discretion of the superintendent.  Parents will be notified prior to recording of classroom activities.

Approved:  7-1-92                 
Reviewed:  12-13-99, 12-9-02, 01-09-06, 02-05-09, 12-14-15
Revised:  5-17-22