3110 -- Community Relations

The District will maintain a public information program in order to promote widespread understanding of its mission, strategic goals, and initiatives and to provide a conduit for feedback from the community. District news may be shared with residents and staff members through a variety of methods, such as newsletters, brochures, flyers, the website, news releases, special publications and broadcasts, as needed, such as the annual budget newsletter. News releases shall be approved and released through the office of the Superintendent. Agendas of Board Meetings shall be available to the public and provided to the news media by the Superintendent’s office prior to all Board Meetings. Building level newsletters, student and/or parent handbooks, and program information may be published by each school.

The Board of Education, recognizing the importance of the news media in communicating with parents and other District residents, will strive to maintain a good working relationship with the representatives of the various news media. The Board President and Superintendent shall respond to media questions when appropriate to ensure the comprehensive reporting of District activities and make every effort to share public information in a timely and accurate manner.

All District-wide press releases shall be approved and released through the Superintendent’s office.

All building press releases shall be approved and released through the principal’s office. Any District-level or building releases dealing with any unusual or sensitive issues must be forwarded to the Superintendent’s office for approval and subsequent release.

News conferences to announce matters of importance or to share information about a significant event may be called by the Board of Education or the Superintendent. In an emergency, public information will be provided in accordance with building level and District-wide safety plans.

Unless authorized to do so by the Superintendent, staff members are not authorized to express views on behalf of the District. A staff member may grant an interview to the news media, but should limit remarks to his/her program or area of responsibility and should inform the principal or supervisor prior to the interview. Any inquiry by or contact with the representatives of the news media should also be reported to the public information officer or Superintendent.

Adoption Date: February 13, 2007