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Communications Protocol

News Media Protocol

Cooperation with the media is an important part of the Bibb County School District's relationship with the local community. The public needs to understand our policies, plan and programs, and the news media can help us reach Bibb County. In working with the news media, as with other organizations, it is important that district employees conduct themselves in a professional manner. This protocol provides some basic rules to assist in the orderly transfer of information and to protect district employees and students.

General Provisions

Media member access to a school or school grounds when students are present requires approval of the Communications Department. News media representatives must contact the Communications Department. Virtual or phone interviews with District employees also require permission from the Communications Department. 

Contact Communications

Media Contact with District Employees

Once approved by the Communications Department, district employees may speak directly with the news media. The following topics cannot be discussed:

  • Information or questions about school employees;
  • Information or questions about students;
  • Disciplinary proceedings against an employee or a student;
  • Matters in litigation or matters that may result in litigation;
  • Potential criminal matters or criminal investigations;
  • Investigations by District personnel; or
  • Matters turned over to other persons with the District for handling.

In such cases, the district employee approached by the news media representative should not provide information or give an interview. For his/her own protection, the employee should refer the representative to the Communications Department.

School employees may not be interviewed without their permission.

Media Contact with Students

News media representatives often want student perspectives. The Communications Department will provide guidance for students. Students must be willing to be interviewed and comfortable. A school employee should make sure that no opt-out form is present. A staff member should always be present during student contact with news media representatives.

Press Releases and Media Advisories

The Communications Department will be responsible for making the media aware of events taking place in the schools and the district. When planning events at your school for which you would like to request the media's presence, please provide the Communications Department with as many details about the event as possible - including the "Who, what, when and where," as well as why the media would be interested.

Requests for press releases and media invites should be made in a timely manner to allow the Communications Department time to invite the media or provide additional support.

Newsletter Submissions

The Communications Department publishes a newsletter and social media items throughout the school year. Photos and detailed information should be emailed to the Communications Department within 2 weeks of an event. When submitting items for publication, please submit photos as separate .jpeg attachments in the email. Photos should be clear and should not have any text over the images. Please make sure all students in the photos have media release approval.

Website

A representative from each school should be identified to serve as the school's webmaster. Each school's website should be updated regularly to ensure information is accurate and current. Information that should be posted to school websites includes, but is not limited to, the following: school address and contact information, principal and assistant principals' names, bell times, school supply lists, dress codes, administrator bios and welcome messages, and updated calendar information.