ST. LOUIS BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC

Responsibilities of the Board of Education

Toward effective communications, the board members will:

--Become familiar with school district programs and operations;

--be accessible and visible to staff, students, parents, and community;

--participate, insofar as possible, in activities of school-associated groups and community groups;

--communicate with local government officials, community leaders, and state and national legislators;

--appoint a communications committee, comprised of representatives of the staff, students, parents, and a cross section of the community;

--attempt to take into account the viewpoints of all segments of the community;

--employ positive leadership and communication skills at board meetings and when representing the school district;

--present a unified front, inasmuch as possible, on issues on which there may not be total agreement, with the board president as official spokesperson;

--recognize the right of staff members, students, parents, and community to have impartial information on controversial issues involving the board;

--facilitate news media coverage of school board activities as requested;

--publish a descriptive guide annually, to be distributed to the community;

--cooperate with the superintendent and the executive director of the office of public information to develop and maintain a comprehensive communications program;

--solicit counsel on improving communications.

Policy adopted: June 26, 1990

Revised: February 9, 1999