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.

To create a safe and effective environment during School District of Palm Beach County sports events, media outlets are asked to follow these guidelines. Our goal is to facilitate coverage while prioritizing the safety of our students and staff and keeping the focus on the game.  Media coverage of District sports events requires compliance with the rules outlined below.

Game Day Coverage

• Violators may be asked to leave the campus due to non-compliance with these protocols.
• Media access is contingent upon adherence to all protocols. Any failure to comply, including failing to remain in designated media areas or physically obstructing the game, may result in the immediate forfeiture of game access and/or forfeiture of access to future games.  Physically obstructing the game includes disrupting players, coaches, cheerleaders, staff, or spectators.
• Please notify Communications at news@palmbeachschools.org and/or through the weekly Football Schedule Google Sheet, as well as the school's Athletic Director, for media access for game day coverage. Each school’s principal and/or athletic director determine game day access.
• Please submit a request to Communications at news@palmbeachschools.org and indicate this in the weekly Football Schedule Google Sheet if you would like to interview a coach before a game. This will allow the Communications team to assist with coordination of this interview.
• At this time, the District does not employ a credentialing process for media.
• All media members are expected to have their employer-issued press credentials visible and on their person upon entrance to campus.
• All media may be subject to a security screening upon entrance.
• Prior to and during football games, all media must remain between the 20 yard line and end zone, five yards back from the playing field. The school reserves the right to modify this at its discretion.
• All media must remain in the zone designated by the principal and/or athletic director prior to and during other sports events.
• Any individual not affiliated with a verified media outlet may be directed to an alternative designated area by the school's principal and/or athletic director.

Interview Requests

• Coaches and athletic directors are permitted to speak with media about the game's performance.  
• Please submit a request to Communications at news@palmbeachschools.org and complete the weekly Football Schedule Google Sheet if you would like to interview a coach before a game. This will allow the Communications team to assist with coordination of this interview.
• For any questions not related to the game's performance, coaches and athletic directors will direct you to the District's Media Relations team. Media with questions unrelated to the game can contact the District's Media Relations team by emailing news@palmbeachschools.org. 
• All other interview requests should be sent to the Media Relations team at news@palmbeachschools.org.

Student Interviews

• Students are free to speak with media after games and on their own time, provided they have parental permission.
• If you wish to interview a student on school property during the school day, you must send your request to the Media Relations team at news@palmbeachschools.org.

Contact
For any questions or additional support, you can contact the District Communications team directly by sending an email to news@palmbeachschools.org or calling 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.