Communications & Public Relations

Communications Services is responsible for internal and external communication and works to build strong and credible links with employees, students, parents, families, and the community.

Media Relations - Policy & Procedures
Carrollton-Farmers Branch supports citizens' rights to have access to information that affects school programs and services for students. The district strives to maintain a positive relationship with all news media outlets and other communications representatives. Our goal is to ensure the dissemination of timely, accurate, and newsworthy information to the community through the news media.

Communications Services coordinates news coverage of the school district and is responsible for overseeing official communications between the school system and news media. All news conferences and public events of a district-wide nature, in which news coverage is requested, must be coordinated by or through the Communications Services Department.

Media Access to District Schools & Facilities
CFBISD welcomes members of the media into our schools and strives to provide the most accurate and timely information available. CS should be the first point of contact for all media inquiries for our district. News media will not be allowed on any district property without prior consent from Communications Services.

Interviewing & Photographing Students
CFBISD operates in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This law allows students and parents to opt-out to release individual information about students, including photographs. Each school is responsible for maintaining a database to determine who cannot be photographed and interviewed according to FERPA guidelines via the district's Opt-Out form. Parent permission must be confirmed before taking photos, videos, and quotes from CFBISD students.

Press Releases, Media Alerts & News Conferences
Communications Services is responsible for coordinating all news coverage of the school district. The department oversees official communications between the school system and news media by initiating story ideas, including press releases and media advisories, and facilitating requests for news coverage from media representatives and district personnel. Additionally, the department also assists school administrators regarding effective relations with the news media.

The Superintendent (or a designee) and the Chief Communications Officer are the District's primary spokespersons regarding all matters of district-wide interest. All news conferences and public events of a district-wide nature in which news coverage is requested must be coordinated by or through the Chief Communications Officer. District personnel should submit story ideas via e-mail to rodriguezcar@cfbisd.edu.