Media representatives are welcome at all Board meetings and shall receive meeting agendas upon request.
(cf. 9322 - Agenda/Meeting Materials)
Media representatives, like all other visitors, shall register immediately upon entering any school building or grounds when school is in session. The principal or designee of each school shall provide the media with information relating to his/her school, including information about student awards, school accomplishments, and events of special interest.
(cf. 1250 - Visitors/Outsiders)
(cf. 3515.2 - Disruptions)
When communicating with the media, employees shall make it clear that they are expressing their own personal viewpoints. They shall not express viewpoints on behalf of the district unless they have been authorized to do so.
The Superintendent or designee may provide the media with student directory information, including, but not limited to, the name of a student, school of attendance, grade level, honors, and activities, unless the student's parent/guardian has submitted a written request that such information not be disclosed. The district shall not release information which is private or confidential as required by law and Board policy or administrative regulation. No other access to student records or personally identifiable student information may be provided without written parent/guardian permission.
(cf. 1340 - Access to District Records)
(cf. 4119.23/4219.23/4319.23 - Unauthorized Release of Confidential/Privileged Information)
(cf. 5125 - Student Records)
(cf. 5125.1 - Release of Directory Information)
(cf. 9010 - Public Statements)
(cf. 9321.1 - Closed Session Actions and Reports)
Interviewing and Photographing Students
The district shall not impose restraints on students' right to speak freely with media representatives at those times which do not disrupt students' educational program. , Interviews of students may not create a disruption or impinge on the rights of others. Therefore, in order to minimize possible disruption, media representatives who wish to
interview students at school are strongly encouraged to make prior arrangements with the principal. At their discretion, parents/guardians may instruct their children not to communicate with media representatives.
(cf. 5145.2 - Freedom of Speech/Expression)
In order to protect the privacy and safety of students, a media representative who wishes to photograph students on school grounds should first make arrangements with the principal or designee.
When interviewing or photographing a special education student, he/she shall not be identified as a special education student without prior, written parent/guardian permission.
(cf. 0510 - School Accountability Report Card)
(cf. 1100 - Communication with the Public)
(cf. 1160 - Political Processes)
District Spokespersons
Spokespersons designated to speak to the media on behalf of the district include the Board president, Superintendent, or designee.
To the extent possible, the Superintendent or designee shall provide training on effective media relations to all designated spokespersons.
(cf. 9240 - Board Development)
Crisis Communication Plan
During a disturbance or crisis situation, the first priority of school staff is to assure the safety of students and staff. However, the Board recognizes the need to provide timely and accurate information to parents/guardians and the community during a crisis. The Board also recognizes that the media have an important role to play in relaying this information to the public. In order to help ensure that the media and district work together effectively, the Superintendent or designee shall develop a crisis communications plan to identify communication strategies to be taken in the event of a crisis.
(cf. 0450 - Comprehensive Safety Plan)
(cf. 3516 - Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness Plan)
The crisis communications plan may include, but not be limited to, identification of a media center location, development of both internal and external notification systems, and strategies for press conference logistics.
The Superintendent or designee shall include local law enforcement and media representatives in the crisis planning process.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
32210-32212 Willful disturbance of public school or meeting
35144 Special meetings
35145 Public meetings
35160 Authority of governing boards
35172 Promotional activities
EVIDENCE CODE
1070 Refusal to disclose news source
PENAL CODE
627-627.10 Access to school premises
COURT DECISIONS
Lopez v. Tulare Joint Union High School District, (1995) 34 Cal.App.4th 1302
ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS
95 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 509 (1996)
Management Resources:
CSBA PUBLICATIONS
911: A Manual for Schools and the Media During a Campus Crisis, 2001
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
Policy FAIRFIELD-SUISUN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: September 28, 1995 Fairfield, California
revised: June 9, 2011