0149.1 - PUBLIC EXPRESSIONS OF MEMBERS

The Board Chairman shall function as the official spokesperson for the Board.

From time-to-time, however, individual Board members may make public statements on school matters to local media and/or to local or State officials.  

Sometimes the letters imply, or the readers (listeners) infer, that the opinions expressed or statements made are the official positions of the Board. The misunderstandings that can result from these incidents can embarrass both the member and the Board. Therefore, Board members should, when writing or speaking on school matters to the media, legislators, and other officials, make it clear that their views do not necessarily reflect the views of the Board or of their colleagues on the Board.

Under no circumstances shall Board members use e-mail to discuss among themselves Board business that is only to be discussed in an open meeting of the Board, is part of an executive session, or could be considered an invasion of privacy if the message were to be monitored by another party.

There should be no expectation of privacy for any messages sent by e-mail. Messages that have been deleted are still accessible on the hard drive, if the space has not been occupied by other messages. Messages, deleted or otherwise, are subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act, unless an exemption would apply.

Revised 4/22/08
Revised 7/22/14
Revised 10/28/14
Revised 8/8/23

© Neola 2009