101.01

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Board-Community Relations

It shall be the expressed policy of the Board to cooperate actively with official area community agencies and organizations concerned with the welfare of children. The District is committed to maintaining open communication with the public. The use of the Internet supplements communication of information to the public. Community support of District programs can best be enriched through a public that understands and is active in school affairs.

• Cross References: Board Policies 101.02 Information Dissemination; 506.04 Interviews with Students; 605.06 Internet: Appropriate Use; 605.13 Technology

• By action of the Board 9/20/76, 12/13/82; Revised 7/8/91; Revised 2/23/98; Revised 03/17/03

• Edited 03/03

101.02

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Information Dissemination -- (Releases to News Media)

Distribution of Information to Community & News Media

It shall be the policy of the Board to distribute information about District and school programs and practices as well as Board matters.  This information will be distributed on a regular and timely basis to the community and the news media in a variety of formats.

Information not of a personal or confidential nature should be made available to all community members and news media upon their request.* In order to establish and maintain a cooperative effort in our public relations program, District and school representatives should continually practice and promote two-way communications with community members and news media personnel.

District & School/Programs & Practices

In order for the citizens of the Davenport District to be well informed of the programs and practices of the schools and the District, information campaigns shall be organized and information disseminated in areas such as: District and Board annual goals, long-term goals, initiatives, (special school events), and issues that may arise in the District.

Information campaigns should include a variety of formats to meet the needs of as many citizens as possible.  These formats will include, but not be limited to: reports, newsletters, brochures, fliers, District web-site pages, staff-written newspaper columns and articles, news media releases and news media information packets.  Assistance shall be available for people with special language and disability needs with 48-hour prior notice.

Information Material & News Release Clearances

The Superintendent or superintendent's designee shall be responsible for clearance of all information campaign materials and news releases on behalf of the District.  The administrator or designee of each school and program shall be responsible for clearance of all news releases from each school or program.  The Superintendent or superintendent's designee shall make themselves available to personnel representing the various news media when questions arise concerning District matters.  The administrator or designee of each school and program also shall be available to news media personnel when questions arise concerning each school or program matters.

The Board President is the official spokesperson for matters and actions of the Board. A statement from an individual board member shall be considered a statement of that board member only; it should not necessarily be construed as reflecting the position of the entire Board.  The Superintendent or superintendent's designee shall also be available to news media personnel when questions arise concerning board matters.

• Cross Reference:  *Policy 101.01 Board Community Relations; 306.05 Public Examination of School District Public Records, Administrative Regulation 101.02A

• By action of the Board 9/20/76, 12/13/82, Reviewed 7/8/91; Revised 7/13/98 (combination of 101.2, 101.3, and 101.7); Revised 03/17/03

• Edited 03/03

101.03

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Releases to News Media: Board Matters  *See Policy 101.02

• By action of the Board 9/20/76; Revised 12/13/82, Revised 7/8/91; Deleted 7/13/98

• Edited 7/98

101.04

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Duplicated or Printed Materials

Duplicated or printed materials related to or explaining various phases of the school program shall be made available for staff and public use as deemed advisable by the Superintendent and/or the Board President. Decisions concerning such publications may be delegated to staff assistants appointed by the Superintendent.

Rules of good taste, scholarship, and general acceptability should apply to all such publications. The person, office, or department responsible for the completed publication should be identified.

Printed materials such as brochures or fliers, which are distributed to community members to explain the school program, should contain the District's affirmative action/ non-discrimination statement.

• Cross References: Board Policies 101.05 Distribution of Printed Material; 401.02 Affirmative Action Statement; 505.03 Student Publications; 505.12 Student Distribution of Non-curricular Materials

• By action of the Board 9/20/76, Revised 12/13/82, Reviewed 7/8/91; Revised 2/23/98; Revised 03/17/03

• Edited 03/03

101.05

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Distribution of Printed Materials

1. Non-Students

Distribution of printed materials by persons other than employees of or students enrolled in the district will not be permitted in school buildings or on school grounds unless approved by the Superintendent or superintendent designee in accordance with this policy.

 

2. Procedures for Distribution

No student or employee is permitted to distribute any materials in school buildings or on school grounds until and unless the following procedure has been followed:

1. The printed matter shall be filed with the Superintendent or superintendent designee at least one week prior to the distribution date. This copy shall be retained.

2. A copy of the printed matter shall be stamped, if approved, by the Superintendent or superintendent designee and returned to the person requesting approval. If the printed matter does not bear this stamp or an authorized letter of approval, it may not be distributed in school buildings or on school grounds.

3. Any person who distributes printed material other than pursuant to this policy is subject to discipline.

4. This policy does not apply to printed matter which has already in effect been reviewed by school authorities, such as materials passed out for classroom use, school newspapers, or the like. Nor does it apply to distribution of issues or portions of publications of general circulation in the community whose authors and publishers have identified themselves therein. Distribution of such materials may be made without filing a copy.

3. Approval Process

Any printed matter submitted for approval by the Superintendent or superintendent designee shall be reviewed and evaluated in light of the circumstances surrounding the proposed distribution of the materials. The Superintendent shall not approve the distribution of any material if the Superintendent or superintendent designee reasonably foresees that the publication and distribution of the material may substantially disrupt or materially interfere with school procedures. Materials which are slanderous, inflammatory, or contain political endorsements are examples of materials which would likely be disruptive of the school environment. The Superintendent or superintendent designee shall approve any material which reasonably relates to school or school-related activities or materials which are distributed for the mutual aid or protection of school employees so long as the materials are within the guidelines set forth above. In no event shall the superintendent or superintendent designee prevent the distribution of materials if such prevention unlawfully infringes upon student and employee rights to freedom of speech as guaranteed by the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution. The Superintendent or superintendent designee shall recognize and follow the guidelines of the United States Supreme Court and other pertinent state and federal judicial authorities in determining whether the distribution should be permitted.

In the event that the Superintendent or superintendent designee does not approve the distribution of the materials, said person shall immediately notify the student or employee seeking to distribute the materials. The student or employee may then request a review of the superintendent's decision by the Board. The Board may allow the student or employee and the Superintendent or superintendent designee to present arguments as to whether the materials should or should not be distributed. The Board shall make an independent review and determination as to whether and under what conditions the material shall be distributed.

4. Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions

The distribution of materials shall not interfere with school procedures. Accordingly, distribution of the material may be made only under the following circumstances:

1. Any distribution by or to students shall be made outside of classrooms, gymnasiums, auditoriums, or other facilities used for teaching students and at times when classes are not in session.

2. Any distribution by or to employees shall be made during nonworking times and solely in nonworking areas.

• Cross Reference:  Board Policy 505.03 - Student Publications, Administrative Regulation 101.05A

• By action of the Board 9/20/76; Reviewed 12/13/82; Revised 7/9/84, Reviewed 7/8/91; Revised 2/23/98

• Edited  2/98

101.06

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Board Proceedings    (Deleted 03/17/03)

• By action of the Board 9/20/76, Reviewed 12/13/82, Reviewed 7/8/91,Reviewed 2/23/98; Deleted 03/17/03

• Edited 03/03

101.07

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Information Dissemination  *See Policy 101.02

• By action of the Board 11/12/90; Deleted 7/13/98

• Edited 7/98

101.08

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

School-to-Work Partners Program

The District enjoys a positive working relationship with the local community. The School-to-Work Partners Program is an approved vehicle for nurturing and expanding this relationship

All attendance centers shall have at least one partnership with a business or organization in the community. The partnership shall be mutually beneficial to the Davenport Schools and the community. The partnership shall foster awareness and a willingness to share knowledge, experiences, and resources.

As part of the budgeting process, the Board may allocate sufficient funds to provide recognition of the various partners for their involvement in and support of the schools.

These District funds may be complemented by funds that are contributed by the community through voluntary dues paid or donations. The District may also receive donations and grants.  The Superintendent and staff shall develop procedures for receiving, disbursing, auditing, investing, and otherwise handling these funds according to practices of the District's Accounting Department.

• Cross Reference: Board Policy 103.09 Soliciting Funds from Students

• By action of the Board 11/12/90, Revised 2/8/93; Revised 2/23/98; Revised 03/17/03

• Edited 03/03