The community shall be kept informed regarding the educational programs of the Montgomery County Public Schools through the use of available media. The Montgomery County School Board encourages the administration and individual schools to utilize media releases as a means of informing the public of educational programs, activities, and accomplishments. The School Board encourages staff members to participate in activities that inform the public about school programs and activities.
The School Board shall cooperate with the news media in providing the public with pertinent facts concerning the schools. The division superintendent or his/her designee serves as a reliable source to which the news media may turn for information regarding the division schools. The School Board encourages the attendance of representatives of the news media at all open School Board meetings.
News and information concerning individual school events, personnel, students, and programs shall be released to the press only with the approval of the principal (or his or her designee) and in accordance with all applicable law regarding confidentiality. The division superintendent or his/her designee, prior to release to the press, shall approve all other media representing the official position of the School Board prepared for publication by any of its employees.
Interviews
The School Board permits the interviewing of employees and students during the school day when approved by the school principal, appropriate supervisory staff and/or the division superintendent. These interviews will not disrupt the educational program or cause undue confusion and shall be conducted under conditions approved by such principal, staff member, or division superintendent. In the case of students, no interviews shall be conducted until a school staff member has contacted the student’s parents or guardians. Representatives of the news media who wish to conduct interviews are subject to all policies and regulations governing visitors to school property.
Broadcasting of Athletic Contests
The division superintendent may permit the broadcasting of home athletic contests by radio or television in accordance with the regulations of the Virginia High School League, provided that such broadcasting is done as a public service or the sponsor of such broadcast is appropriate. It shall be communicated during such broadcast that the School Board does not endorse the product or products of any sponsor.
LEGAL REFERENCE: Code of Virginia,
1950, as amended, §§ 22.1-70, 22.1-253.13:7, 22.1-287 through 22.1-287.1;
22.1-293; Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. §
1232(g), et seq.; 34 C.F.R. § 99.1, et seq.
Adopted: April 2004
