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Training stresses confidentiality, chain of command and media etiquette
Summary
Workshop presenters reminded board members that individual members lack authority to speak for the board, to avoid 'reply all' email threads, and to refer media requests to the chair or superintendent.
Presenters and board members reviewed expectations for communication, confidentiality, and media engagement. Presenter (S4) repeatedly emphasized that board members must respect the chain of command and should not speak for the whole board: "Board members shall give careful consideration... and the board shall make decisions only at properly called meetings." Chair (S1) recounted a past exchange with a reporter and reinforced the instruction: board members should direct media to the board chair or the superintendent rather than offer unsanctioned statements.
The workshop also covered email etiquette to avoid serial meetings: S1 warned that using 'reply all' can create the appearance of an unposted meeting and trigger compliance issues. Members agreed staff should disseminate requested materials to all board members rather than circulating replies among subsets of the group. The group did not adopt a new communications policy but asked staff to apply these practices going forward.
