4001 - Public Information Program

The district will strive to maintain effective two-way communication channels with the public. Such channels shall enable the board and staff to interpret the schools' performance and needs to the community and provide a means for citizens to express their needs and expectations to the board and staff.

The superintendent or designee will establish and maintain a communication process within the school system and between it and the community. Such a public information program will provide for a district annual report, news releases at appropriate times, news media coverage of district programs and events, and regular direct communication between individual schools and the patrons they serve.  The public information program will also assist staff in improving their skill and understanding in communicating with the public.

Community opinion may be solicited through parent organizations, parent-teacher conferences, open houses and other such events or activities which may bring staff and citizens together. At times, board meetings may be scheduled at neighborhood schools. Survey instruments and/or questionnaires may be developed in order to gain a broad perspective of community opinion.

The board is a nonpartisan public body and will not endorse political candidates. Neither staff nor students shall be asked to disseminate campaign materials from the schools nor will any of the district's facilities or communications services be used to disseminate such material.

The superintendent or designee will identify staff who have significant public information responsibilities and establish guidelines for their work. The guidelines will address such matters as authority for making releases and the nature and content of bulletins to parents.

Staff Communications with the Public

Staff shares the responsibility for communicating and interpreting the district mission, its policies, programs, goals, and objectives to members of the community. Staff will perform their services and functions to the best of their ability and communicate with members of the community, parents,   students, and other staff in a sincere, courteous and considerate manner. Staff will strive to develop and maintain cooperative school-community relations and to achieve the understanding and mutual respect that are essential to the success of the district.

Confidential information about students or other staff will be released only as permitted by law and district policies and procedures.

Public Health Information

The district will post a prominent link on its website’s homepage and on each schools’ homepage to information from the Department of Health that addresses substance use trends; overdose symptoms and response; and the secure storage of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and firearms and ammunition.

To keep students, families, and community members informed about available health resources, the district will make the information described above from the Department of Health accessible through internet-based communications (like the district’s social media accounts) and through digital and nondigital communications. The district will post this information at least twice each school year.

Collection Of Disciplinary Data

The district will collect data on student disciplinary actions taken in each school, and the information will be available to the public on request.  This information may not be personally identifiable, and will not include a student’s name, address or social security number.

District Annual Report

An annual report addressing the activities of the district and the administration's recommendations for improvement of student learning and district operations will be prepared by the superintendent or designee each school year. The report will  be made available to the public and used as one means for informing parents and community members, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and other districts in the area of the programs and conditions of the district's schools. The     district must ensure awareness of and compliance with certain statutory requirements as specified in policy #2106 Program Compliance. When the district is not in compliance, such deviations will be incorporated into the annual report.

 

Cross References:

District Policy 2004 - Accountability Goals

District Policy 2106 - Program Compliance

District Policy 2121 - Substance Abuse Program

 

Legal References:

RCW  28A.150.230 District school directors’ responsibilities

HB 1230 (2023) School-Public Health Information

RCW 28A.655.100 Performance goals - Reporting requirements

 

Management Resources:

 

Adoption Date: October 17, 2005 

Revised: October 18, 2023

 

Administrator Responsibilities: