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San Marino Unified reviews ‘public statements’ bylaw, affirms board president as default spokesperson
Summary
At a Feb. 4 study session the San Marino Unified School District Board reviewed CSBA-recommended language on who may speak publicly for the board and agreed to retain the board president (or designee) as the district’s default spokesperson while clarifying how individual members should label personal comments.
The San Marino Unified School District Board of Education reviewed proposed updates to Board Bylaw 9010, “Public Statements,” during a Feb. 4 study session and agreed with the California School Boards Association (CSBA) language that the board president is the board’s primary spokesperson, with the superintendent or other board‑designated representative authorized to speak on specific topics.
Board President Joseph Chang convened the meeting. Staff presenter Dr. Teritori reviewed the CSBA sample language and highlighted proposed changes that would add “with respect to a specific issue or topic, other representative as designated by the board or board president.” Assistant to the superintendent Jennifer Dela Torre was cited as the staff member who prepared the policy comparison materials.
The board discussed the practical effect of the change and emphasized the district’s current practice: principals and site leaders are trained that, unless expressly authorized, the board president and the superintendent serve as the district’s official spokespersons. A board member said that individual trustees who speak publicly should identify their remarks as personal viewpoints and not the board’s position. Dr. Teritori read the recommended language aloud to illustrate how the proposed policy asks individual members to “identify when a viewpoint is held by an individual board member rather than the board as a whole.”
Board members supported adding the CSBA wording and underscored that consistent messaging reduces public confusion. The board did not take a formal vote to adopt the bylaw at the study session; staff characterized the review as a first reading and said the item will return for a second reading and adoption at a future meeting.
The board also discussed conduct expectations included in the CSBA text: that members act respectfully in public and online and model professionalism for students. The presenter noted that adopting the CSBA language brings the district policy in line with what many California districts already use.
Staff will prepare a second‑reading draft that incorporates the CSBA language and the board’s clarifications for consideration at a subsequent meeting.
