Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Media Protocols topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Buffalo board debates media protocol; president and superintendent expected to coordinate external messaging
Summary
During the July 8 work session, board members debated whether individual members should speak to media about board business and suggested a formal protocol routing inquiries to the board president and superintendent; the superintendent said administration would coordinate messaging.
Board members on July 8 discussed whether to adopt a formal media protocol requiring notification or approval by board leadership before individual members speak publicly about board business.
Consultant Rodney Jordan and several board members said it's common practice for the board president to serve as the board's primary spokesperson, with the superintendent or a delegated communications staff member handling district-level media inquiries. Jordan said boards often expect members who speak publicly after a vote to express either personal views or to support the board’s majority decision.
Several board members who also work in media said they try to avoid speaking for the board and often defer reporters to the president or superintendent. One member suggested that any contact by a reporter should be reported to board leadership and that leadership approve speaking on board matters. Another member suggested a process in which two out of three members of board leadership must agree before a member engages with media on board business.
Superintendent Dr. Mabinga described the district’s current practice: administration is the district spokesperson for administrative matters and will notify or coordinate with the board president when an item is directed to the board. "Any inquiry from media that's come to BPS, definitely, I'm the spokesperson for whatever topics, but there may be a time where I may not be available. I'll be able to designate a person to be able to speak on the behalf of the district," he said.
The session produced no formal policy or vote; members asked the consultant to draft suggested norms and best practices that would address individual board member interactions with the media and the role of the president and superintendent in external communications. Board members also requested consideration of social media protocols and clearer internal notification so leadership is not surprised by public statements.
