1112 - Community Relations - Media Relations

All incoming media inquiries to SBCSS shall be directed to the Communications Department. The Chief Communications Officer for SBCSS shall be the primary contact for media inquiries. Spokespersons designated to speak to the media on behalf of the organization include the County Superintendent, Chief Communications Officer and Communications Manager. Other staff may be asked by the County Superintendent or designee to speak to the media on a case-by-case basis, depending on their expertise on an issue.

The Chief Communications Officer shall provide training on effective media relations to all designated spokespersons.

Providing Student Directory Information

SBCSS shall not release information that is private or confidential as required by state or federal laws, and County Superintendent’s policy and procedure. Staff may provide the media with student directory information unless the student's parent/guardian has submitted a written request that such information not be disclosed. No other access to student records or personally identifiable student information may be provided without written parent/guardian permission.

Media representatives shall register immediately upon entering any school building or grounds when school programs are in session.

The presence of media on campus or in classrooms may not create substantial disorder to the learning environment or impinge on the rights of others. In order to minimize possible disruption, media representatives who wish to interview or photograph students at school shall make prior arrangements with the school principal or Chief Communications Officer. At their discretion, parents/guardians may instruct their children not to communicate with media representatives.

In order to protect the privacy and safety of students, a media representative who wishes to interview or photograph students on school grounds shall first make arrangements with the school principal or designee, and ensure a signed student information/photo release form is on file.

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.

During a disturbance or crisis situation, the first priority is to assure the safety of students and staff. The County Superintendent recognizes, however, the need to provide timely and accurate information to parents/guardians and the community during a crisis. SBCSS also recognizes that the media have an important role to serve in relaying timely and accurate information to the public during a crisis.

In the event of a crisis, SBCSS follows Emergency Operations Center Standard Operating Procedures as identified by the Standardized Emergency Management System. These procedures outline strategies to communicate with the media during the event of a crisis and include, but are not limited to, identification of a media center location, development of both internal and external notification systems and strategies for press conference logistics.

EDUCATION CODE
32210-32212 Willful disturbance of public school or meeting
35172 Promotional activities
49073 Student Directory Information
PENAL CODE
627-627.10 Access to school premises
ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS
95 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 509 (1996)

California School Boards Association (www.csba.org)

Approved: November 3, 2015