In regard to the news media, the Superintendent of schools (or his designee) shall serve as the primary spokesperson for the Shelby County Schools system.

Because all powers of the Board lie in its actions as a group, individual Board members exercise authority over the district affairs only as votes are taken at a legal meeting of the Board. The Board or Staff will not be bound in any way by any action taken or statement made by any individual Board member except when such statement or action is pursuant to official action taken by the Board. This does not preclude a Board member from voicing a personal viewpoint, but such should be clearly indicated as personal, not Board opinion.

In order to avoid the possibility of communicating misinformation, partial information or causing confusion regarding issues in which all relevant information is still being investigated or researched, Board members should refrain from discussing such issues with news media personnel and refer all questions to the Superintendent of Schools or his designee.

When contacted by members of the news media, Board members must exercise extreme caution in responding to issues or policies on behalf of the Board that are yet to be determined by the Board through official Board Action.

1. Board members should refer news reporters to the Superintendent regarding all questions or issues about school system personnel, specific operating procedures, individual students or groups of students, specific questions about curriculum, instruction, academic performance, and all other issues delineated in state law that are directly related to the responsibilities of the Superintendent.

2. If approached by a news reporter about a matter on which policy has been clearly defined, an individual Board member should answer based on existing policy.

3. If approached by a news reporter about a matter on which the Board has no established policy, an individual Board member should not commit to any position or promise other than to discuss the matter with the Superintendent or to present it to the Board for consideration.

4. An individual Board member should refer all complaints or requests directly or indirectly relating to instruction, personnel, or services to the Superintendent of schools who is chief executive officer and is charged with the responsibility of responding to all issues in these areas.