Avenues of Communication

		Board of Trustees Trustee Profiles Meetings & Minutes Operating Protocol Avenues of Communication School Board Election Policies & Regulations Conflict Disclosure

Citizen Input

If citizens wish to express themselves regarding a specific school, teacher or child, dialogue should begin at the level closest to the concern.

Step One Visit with teacher or guidance counselor
Step Two Visit with principal (If a school-wide concern, this becomes step one.)
Step Three Visit with Area Assistant Superintendent
Step Four Visit with Superintendent or designee
If the concern has not been resolved after Step Four, a written request should be filed with the Superintendent for a hearing before the Board.

Citizens wishing to express themselves regarding policy, boundaries, finances, or other responsibilities of the Board which have not been placed on a regular agenda should use one or more of these alternatives.

• Contact appropriate staff members.
• Speak at public forums.
• Telephone Board members.
• Write letters to Board members.
• E-mail Board members.
• Board members discourage citizens from providing anonymous information in any form, and, in general, will not act upon it.
• Mailing addresses and phone and e-mail addresses can be found on this Web site on the Trustee Profiles page.
• Concerns will be forwarded by Board members to the appropriate staff person for their  input and action.

Staff - Board Communication

• Frequent and open communication between staff and the Board is encouraged.
• Requests by individual Board members that will likely require considerable staff preparation time or that are to be considered for the agenda should be directed to the Superintendent or Board President.
• It is always appropriate for staff to refer Board members to the Superintendent for answers to questions.
• Board members should notify and seek permission of the Superintendent prior to visiting with staff members other than the Cabinet when the visit is as a Board member.
• School district staff members should follow Board policies when addressing concerns regarding their employment. As citizens, they are encouraged to contact the Board member about issues of concern.
• The Superintendent and staff should use a variety of communications methods to keep the Board fully informed, including, but not limited to voice mail, e-mail, fax, memos, and personal contact.

Board Member Communication  

(For additional items, see Board Norms)
In communicating with each other outside of the Regular Board Meetings, Board members will follow the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Board Member - Media Communication

• In general, the Board President should address actions taken by the Board with the media.
• Members of the Board who are contacted for their personal views on issues should notify the district's Communications Department of that request.
• The Communications Department should keep Board members apprised of issues the media may be considering.
• New Board members should participate in media relations training.