The Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Office respects the public's desire for and right to information and recognizes that the media significantly influence the community's understanding of county educational programs, student achievement, and school safety. In order to develop and maintain positive media relations, the County Board and the County Superintendent shall reasonably accommodate media requests for information and provide accurate, reliable and timely information.
The County Board may work with the County Superintendent of Schools to periodically establish priorities and key messages for proactively communicating with the media regarding current county office of education (COE) issues, activities, or needs.
(cf. 0460 - Local Control and Accountability Plan)
Media representatives are welcome at all public County Board meetings and shall receive meeting agendas upon request in accordance with County Board policy.
(cf. 9321 - Closed Session)
(cf. 9322 - Agenda/Meeting Materials)
The County Board is committed to protecting the privacy of students and their families. The County Board shall not release information that is private or confidential as required by law or County Board policy. Media requests relating to COE employees or to student directory information shall be referred to the County Superintendent.
Interviewing and Photographing Students
The County Office shall not impose restraints on students' right to speak freely with media representatives. However, interviewing and photographing students shall not create substantial disruption to the orderly operation of the school or impinge on the rights or safety of students. Therefore, the County Board encourages media representatives who wish to interview or photograph students at school to make prior arrangements with the County Superintendent or designee.
Media Contacts/Spokesperson
The County Board president shall be the designated spokesperson to speak to the media on
behalf of the County Board. The County Board may designate other board members to speak to the media on a case-by-case basis.
Crisis Communications Plan
During a disturbance or crisis situation, the first priority of school/program site staff is to assure the safety of students and staff. However, the County Board recognizes the need to provide timely and accurate information to students, parents/guardians, and the community during a crisis or natural disaster. The County Board also recognizes that the media have an important role to play in relaying this information to the public. The County Board shall refer media inquiries during a crisis to the County Superintendent.
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 TUOLUMNE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
adopted: May 30, 2008 Sonora, California
revised: June 25, 2020