San Francisco Unified School District and County Office of Education
Board Policy 1112
Media Relations
This Board Policy applies to the San Francisco Unified School District and the County Office of Education.
The Board of Education respects the public’s right to information and recognizes that the media significantly influence the community’s understanding of school programs. In order to develop and maintain positive media relations, the Board and the Superintendent desire to reasonably accommodate media requests for information and to provide accurate, reliable and timely information.
Media representatives are welcome at all Board meetings and shall receive meeting agendas upon request in accordance with Board policy.
Media representatives, like all other visitors, shall register immediately upon entering any school building or grounds when school is in session, and shall comply with all Visitor policies and regulations.
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 interfere with the peaceful conduct of school activities or impinge on the rights of others. Therefore, in order to minimize possible disruption and protect student safety, media representatives who wish to interview students at school should make prior arrangements with the principal. 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 photograph students on school grounds should first make arrangements with the principal or designee. Electronic listening or recording devices may not be used in a classroom without the prior consent of the principal and teacher given to promote an educational purpose. (Education Code 51512)
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 Plan
In order to help develop strong relations with the media, the Superintendent or designee shall develop a proactive media communications plan. This plan may include, but not be limited to, information related to district programs and needs, student awards, school accomplishments and events of special interest.
The plan shall specify the district’s and/or site’s primary media contact to whom all media inquiries shall be routed. Spokespersons designated to speak to the media on behalf of the district include the Board president, Superintendent and public information officer. 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.
The Superintendent or designee shall provide training on effective media relations to all designated spokespersons.
Crisis Communications 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.
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.
Policy SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: March 12, 2013 San Francisco, California
Please note that compare references, or “cf”, refer to CSBA model policies and do not necessarily indicate that the San Francisco Unified School District has adopted the referenced policy.