Media Relations

All requests for information or interviews with District students, teachers, or staff must be submitted in writing to news@palmbeachschools.org

• Only the Superintendent and authorized staff can speak on behalf of the School District.
• Media should coordinate all interviews and communications with students, teachers, and staff through the Office of Media Relations.
• District staff contacted directly by media should notify the Office of Media Relations before responding.
• The School District of Palm Beach County abides by the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Under FERPA, parents and their children have certain protections with regard to the public release of educational records, such as report cards, transcripts, disciplinary records, family information, and class schedules.
• As a general practice, the School District does not comment on personnel matters or pending litigation. 

Requests for public records should be sent to publicrecords@palmbeachschools.org.

Please note, the Office of Media Relations represents the School District and Superintendent. Media inquiries intended for individual members of the Palm Beach County School Board should be directed to those board members directly. You can find their contact information on the School Board webpage.

The safety and security of our campuses is the District’s top priority.

• To film on or near a school or District facility, media must obtain prior written approval by contacting news@palmbeachschools.org
• All media visiting a school campus must sign in at the front office upon arrival.
• Media must also notify the Office of Media Relations before filming near a school campus.

The School District of Palm Beach County provides these mandatory guidelines for media representatives covering sporting events on the campuses of District-operated schools.

Anyone without a media pass must go through the general admission process and can gather video and photos from the stands.

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1. Seasonal Registration & Media Outlet Verification Process

Application Requirements

• To secure a 2026 GoFan Season Fall Football Media Sideline Pass for 2026 regular season access, verified outlets must complete the official application.
  • 2026 GoFan Season Fall Football Media Sideline Pass: Pass is digital, sport-specific, non-transferable, and valid for the season.
  • Individual Applications: Each person must submit a separate application. Individuals covering games for multiple organizations must submit a separate application per entity

Business Verification (Must Provide One)

• Sunbiz Document Number: Required for registered Florida corporations, LLCs, partnerships, or DBAs.
• Business Tax Account Number: Required for local independent journalists, freelancers, or sole proprietors operating under their legal name.

Website Criteria: Must maintain an active website updated at least once per week with original, fact-based sports journalism (e.g., scores, gameplay summaries, updates of public interest). Social media pages do not qualify.

Commercial Restrictions & Probitions

• Outlets may not post pricing, packages, or coverage rates for specific events, teams, or players.
• Passes are automatically denied to anyone hired by parents, players, booster clubs, or teams.
• Capturing content for post-event sale strictly disqualifies media members and triggers immediate pass cancellation.
• Individuals aiming to sell images commercially must buy a general admission ticket, sit in the stands, and avoid blocking views or aisles. Field access requests must be routed through the Principal and/or Athletic Director. If granted, these applicants must abide by other rules outlined in these protocols. 

2. Game Day Coverage & Sideline Protocols

Authority & Pass Enforcement: An active digital GoFan media pass on a mobile device is required for sideline access. Uncredentialed individuals must buy general admission tickets. Principals and ADs hold ultimate authority; violations will result in access revocation.

Sideline Rules & Media Zones

• Pre-game & Boundary Rules: Media must remain in designated areas. Access to the field before and during a game may be restricted. Access between the 20-yard lines (coaching boxes/team benches) is strictly off-limits. 
• Designated Locations: Subject to school discretion, zones are located 5 yards off the field between the 20-yard line and end zone, or 5 yards behind the end zone. Schools determine availability and location. Media must never obstruct play, staff, or fans.
• Field Crossing: Allowed only along the designated media line behind the end zone during play stoppages.
• Audio Recording Restriction: Per NFHS-FHSAA Rule 1-5-3(c), players and coaches are forbidden from wearing wireless recording devices.
• Other Sports: Media must stay strictly within zones pre-designated by the Principal/AD.
• Live-streaming: Live streaming of full, regular-season games may only be provided by the District school.

Revocation for Misconduct: Misconduct, boundary violations, or refusing directives from Police, Principals, ADs, or Coaches results in digital pass cancellation for the rest of the season (and potential future seasons).

3. Guidelines for Student Journalists

• School/Class Outlets: Students of District-operated schools covering events for a class or school activity do not need a GoFan media sideline pass and may coordinate access directly with their school administrators or Athletic Director.

• External Outlets: Students of District-operated schools gathering content on behalf of an external media organization must complete the 2026 GoFan Season Fall Football Media Sideline Pass Application.

• Commercial Sales: Students capturing game content for commercial use or distribution must do so from the stands without obstructing others. Note: Unauthorized sale/distribution of materials is a Level 1 offense under Page 25 of the Student Code of Conduct.

4. Interview Protocols

• School Hours & General Requests: Contact the Media Relations Team at news@palmbeachschools.org.
• Practices & Pre-Game: Coordinate directly with the AD and/or Principal, copying news@palmbeachschools.org on all communications.
• Post-Game & Off-Hours: Conducting student interviews post-game or off-hours strictly requires prior parental permission.

5. Out-of-County Media

• Out-of-county/opposing school-affiliated media may access sidelines only if the opposing team's Athletic Director and/or Principal secures permission directly from the home team's Athletic Director and/or Principal.

6. Media Relations Contact Information

• Email: news@palmbeachschools.org
• Phone: 561-373-9576
   

Operating a drone over public or private school property without written approval is a criminal offense under Florida law. Criminal penalties will be imposed on a person who knowingly or willfully operates a drone over a public or private school without approval.

• Written approval is required from the School District of Palm Beach County before operating a drone on any District property.
• Requests from news media and communications professionals should be sent to news@palmbeachschools.org with the subject line: “DRONE USE REQUEST”
• Requests must include: Licensed drone pilot’s name, location, date, and time of intended flight, and purpose of drone use.
• All drone operators must be Certified Remote Pilots licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
• Unlicensed individuals are not permitted to operate drones over District property.
• Please allow at least three business days to process the request.

Per School Board Policy 2.54, non-news media must submit a film permit application to film on school campuses or District property. This includes commercial production companies and nonprofit organizations.

Applications are available free of charge through the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission.