The Governing Board recognizes that the media significantly influences the public's understanding of school issues and can greatly assist the district in communicating with the community about school needs. The Board respects the public's right to information and recognizes that the media has a legitimate interest in the schools and a responsibility to provide the community with news. Media representatives are welcome at all Board meetings and shall receive meeting announcements and agendas upon request. The Superintendent or designee shall coordinate the release of information concerning the district and the actions of the Board. Members of the media will be required to register upon entering school grounds.
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. District employees are encouraged to cooperate with members of the press, radio and television; employees must always make it clear that they are expressing their own personal viewpoints when so doing.
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 a student's educational program. However, interviews of students may not create substantial disorder 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.
Media Communications
The Board designates the following persons to speak to the media on behalf of the district: the Board president, Superintendent, and school principals. Other Board members and staff may be asked by the Superintendent or designee to speak to the media on a case-by-case basis, depending on their expertise on an issue.
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 KENTFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: September 8, 2015 Kentfield, California