Policy KB PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM

Policy KB: PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM Status: DRAFT Original Adopted Date: 06/10/2015 | Last Revised Date: 05/13/2020 25B UPDATE EXPLANATION This policy has been revised to more closely align with the expectations in the Missouri School Improvement Plan, Version 6, Standards and Indicators, which includes the following: Communication L8 – The school system provides for two-way, reliable, and representative communication with all stakeholders.

A. The school system implements and annually reviews a communications plan that outlines multiple methods for two-way, reliable communication with all stakeholders.

B. The school system regularly communicates to all stakeholders the progress in attainment of the system's mission, vision, and goals.

MSBA has also removed the section titled "Specific Information." There are many, many state statutes that require specific communications to the public, parents/guardians, and staff. Because it would be quite burdensome to list these in board policy, MSBA's administrative procedure KB-AP1 will list all the requirements with statutory references. For this reason, the "Specific Information" section in this policy is no longer necessary. Please refer to KB-AP1 for more information on required communications. Editor's Note: Some revisions requested by the district. Open communication with the district's students, parents/guardians, employees, and the public is essential for the school district to operate effectively and maintain public trust. The board of education places high importance on conveying information concerning the district's goals, achievements, activities and operations to these groups.The district will regularly communicate to all district stakeholders the progress toward the district's mission, vision, and goals, as well as other information about the use of taxpayer funds and district operations. The district will make a systematic effort to communicate with the public using a variety of communication channels. The board of education authorizes the expenditure of funds for the purpose of preparing and distributing information to the general public. Employees and board members will maintain an effective working relationship with the news media. Spokespersons The superintendent, board president, or designee will serve as official spokespersons for the district. All employees and board members will direct public or media requests for official statements about district business from the public or members of the media to the district's spokespersons. Board members should emphasize to the media and members of the public that they may only speak only as individual board members unless empowered by the board to speak on its behalf. Communications Plan The board directs the superintendent or designee to create a written communications plan that outlines multiple methods for two-way, reliable communication with all stakeholders. The superintendent or designee will review this plan on a regular basis and share it with the board. The board directs the superintendent or designee to develop and disseminate written guidelines to staff to further the goals of this policy, including a communications plan that aligns with relevant board policies and administrative procedures and addressesthe communications plan, including: 1. Guidelines for eEmployees communicatingcommunications with the media.

2. Communicating during emergency situations.

Board Policy Manual Clayton 1

Policy Reference Disclaimer: 3. Use of the district's website and social media.

4. Sharing information within the district.

5. Sharing information with the public. Effective Communications The district recognizes that board members and employees have regular contact with students, parents/guardians, and the public in general. When interacting with the public, all district employees and board members are responsible for communicating accurate information about district policies and programs and promoting effective school-home- community partnerships. District employees will not be disciplined for speech that is protected by law. All communications will promote a climate of trust.In all communications, tThe board and its employees will: 1. Disseminate accurate and timely information about district policies, programs, procedures, achievements, decisions, and critical issues.

2. Eliminate rumors and misinformation.

3. Observe confidentiality and other restrictions imposed by law and board policy.

4. Promote a climate of trust. District employees will not be disciplined for speech that is protected by law. Specific Information The district will provide parents/guardians and members of the public information as required by law. Board policies and related documents, including current versions of district handbooks, will be posted on the district's website. School and district report cards may be posted on the district's website and will be distributed to the public as determined by the superintendent or designee. The district will post notice of board meetings and make copies of these notices available to representatives of the news media upon request. Other public information will be available in the district’s buildings or administrative offices for viewing by the public during the office's normal business hours, as required by law and in accordance with policy BDDL. The superintendent or designee will develop a communication system for the exchange of information between the district and staff, students, parents/guardians and others when school or school activities are canceled. Notice of the closing and reopening of school or cancellation of activities will be publicized through local media, the district's website and other district information dissemination options. Portions © 2025, Missouri School Boards' Association Version KB-C.1F.CLT (05/25) These references are not intended to be part of the policy itself, nor do they indicate the basis or authority for the board to enact this policy. Instead, they are provided as additional resources for those interested in the subject matter of the policy. State Description § 105.055, RSMo. State Statute § 160.522, RSMo. State Statute § 160.570, RSMo. State Statute § 161.670, RSMo. State Statute § 162.208, RSMo. State Statute Federal Description 20 U.S.C. § 1400-1417 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 29 U.S.C. § 794 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 2

34 C.F.R Part 300 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-12213 Americans with Disabilities Act 7 C.F.R. § 210.12 Federal Regulation 7 C.F.R. § 245.5 Federal Regulation Federal Description MSIP Description L-8 MSIP STANDARDS Cross References Description BCB BOARD OFFICERS BDDL RELEASE OF INFORMATION BDDL-AP(1) RELEASE OF INFORMATION - (Records Requests) CH POLICY IMPLEMENTATION AND DISSEMINATION DCB POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS DI FISCAL ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING/ACCOUNTING SYSTEM DI-AP(1) FISCAL ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING/ACCOUNTING SYSTEM DI-AP(2) FISCAL ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING/ACCOUNTING SYSTEM - (Disposition of Abandoned Property) DIE AUDITS DIE-AP(1) AUDITS - (Audit Process) EBC-2 EMERGENCY DRILLS EBC-2-AP(1) EMERGENCY DRILLS - (Emergency Closings) EFB FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE FOOD SERVICE EHB TECHNOLOGY USAGE EHB-AP(1) TECHNOLOGY USAGE - (Technology Safety) GBH STAFF/STUDENT RELATIONS GBL PERSONNEL RECORDS GBL-AP(1) PERSONNEL RECORDS IGAEB SEXUAL HEALTH INSTRUCTION IGBB PROGRAMS FOR GIFTED STUDENTS IGBB-AP(1) PROGRAMS FOR GIFTED STUDENTS - (Gifted Identification and Placement) IGBC PARENT AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT IGBI HOME SCHOOLING AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS IL-1 ASSESSMENT PROGRAM JHA STUDENT INSURANCE JO-1 STUDENT RECORDS JO-1-AP(1) STUDENT RECORDS - (K-12 Districts) JO-1-AP(2) STUDENT RECORDS - (Disclosure of Photographs, Images and Recordings Maintained by the District) 3