0143.1 - PUBLIC EXPRESSION OF BOARD MEMBERS

The Board President functions as the official spokesperson for the Board.(see Bylaw 0144.5 - Board Member Behavior, Communications, and Code of Conduct)

From time-to-time, however, individual Board members make public statements, or statements to individuals, on school matters:

1. to local media;

2. on social media;

3. to members of the community;

4. to local officials and/or State officials.

Sometimes the public statements, or statements to individuals, by Board members 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 may cause issues for the member, the Board, as well as the District. Therefore, Board members should, when writing or speaking on school matters on social media, to the media, members of the community, 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.

This bylaw shall apply to all statements and/or writings by individual Board members not explicitly sanctioned by a majority of its members, except as follows:

1. correspondence, such as legislative proposals, when the Board member has received official guidance from the Board on the matters discussed in the letter

2. routine, not for publication, correspondence of the District Administrator and other Board employees

3. routine "thank you" letters of the Board;

4. statements by Board members on non-school matters (providing the statements do not identify the author as a member of the Board)

5. personal statements not intended for publication.

Copies of this Bylaw/Policy shall be distributed to all employees. 

Revised 3/3/14
Revised 12/5/16
Revised 3/18/24
T.C. 9/23/24

© Neola 2024