The board recognizes the value of and supports open, fair and honest communications with the news media.  The board will maintain a cooperative relationship with the news media in the school district community.  As part of this cooperative relationship, the board and the media will develop a means for sharing information while respecting each party’s limitations.

Members of the news media are encouraged and welcome to attend open board meetings.  The administration shall be the spokesperson for the board and the school district. 

Members of the news media seeking information about the school district shall direct their inquiries to the superintendent.  The administration shall accurately and objectively provide the facts and the consensus of the board in response to inquiries from the news media about the school district.

It shall be the responsibility of the board president and administration to respond to inquiries from the news media about the school district.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§21.4, 22, 279.8 (1991)

Cross Reference:  808        Care, Maintenance, and Disposal of School District Records
                                      809        Data Management
                                      1001      Public Communications

Approved:  6-8-92                
Reviewed:  6-14-21              
Revised:  1-12-98

The administration, on behalf of the board and the school district, may hold a news conference or respond to a request for an interview with the news media.  The administration shall respond accurately, openly, honestly, and objectively to inquires from the news media about the school district.

News conferences and interviews planned or prearranged for school district activities shall include the board and the administration. News conferences for issues requiring an immediate response may be held by the administration. It shall be within the discretion of the administration to determine whether a news conference or interview shall be held to provide an immediate response to an issue.

It shall be the responsibility of the administration to keep the board apprised of news conferences and interviews.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§21.4, 22, 279.8 (1991)

Cross Reference:  1001      Public Communication

Approved:  6-08-92                            
Reviewed:  6-14-21                            
Revised:  1-12-98

The administration shall determine when a news release about internal school district and board matters will be made.  In making this determination, the administration shall strive to keep the media and the school district community accurately and objectively informed.  Further, the administration shall strive to create and maintain a positive image for the school district.

News releases will be prepared and disseminated to news media in the school district community.  Questions about news releases shall be made to the superintendent only.

It shall be the responsibility of the administration to approve news releases originating within the school district prior to their release.

Legal Reference:  Dobrovolny v Reinhardt, 173 N.W.2d 837 (1970)
                                      Widmer v Reitzler, 182 N.W.2d 177 (1970)
                                      Iowa Code §§21.4, 22.7 (1991)
                                      1980 Op. Att’y Gen. 73

Cross Reference:  1002      Press, Radio, and Television News Media

Approved:  6-8-92                               
Reviewed:  6-14-21                            
Revised:  1-12-98

Generally, students may not be interviewed during the school day by news media. The students, while on the school district grounds, shall refer interview requests and information requests from the news media to the administrative office in their building.

It shall be within the discretion of the principal, after consulting with the superintendent, to allow or disallow the news media to interview and to receive information from the student while the student is under the control of the school district.  The principal may also contact the student’s parents.

It shall be the responsibility of the administration to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §279.8 (1991)

Cross Reference:  502.11  Interrogation of Students by Outside Agency
                                      1001      Public Communications

Approved:  6-8-92                
Reviewed:  6-14.21                            
Revised:  1-12-98

School district personnel shall refer interview requests and information requests from the news media to the administrative office.  School district personnel may be interviewed or provide information about school district matters after receiving permission from the administration.

It shall be within the discretion of the administration to allow news media to interview and to receive information from school district personnel.

It shall be the responsibility of the administration to develop guidelines for assisting school district personnel in upholding this policy.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §279.8 (1991)

Cross Reference:  1001      Public Communications

Approved:  6-8-92                               
Reviewed:  6-14-21                            
Revised:  1-12-98

Students, for an educational purpose, or news media may video tape public school district events, including open board meetings, as long as it does not interfere with or disrupt the school district event and it does not create an undue burden in adapting the facilities to accommodate the request.

It shall be within the discretion of the administration to determine whether the request is unduly burdensome and whether the broadcast or taping will interfere with or disrupt the school district event.

It shall be the responsibility of the administration to develop administrative regulations outlining the procedures for making the request and the rules for operation if the request is granted.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§21.4, 22, 279.8 (1991)

Cross Reference:  1001.2  Board of Directors and Community Relations
                                      1002.1  News Media Relations

Approved:  6-08-92              
Reviewed:  6-14-21              
Revised:  1-12-98