AUBURN - The Auburn Enlarged City School District Board of Education took its first look at a revised policy dealing with community relations and the board's relationship with the press during its regular meeting Tuesday.

In a unanimous vote, the board approved the first draft of the district's Public Information Policy, which specifies the district and the board's obligation to developing and maintaining accurate communication - supportive or critical of the district - with the public and the press.

Prior to the vote, board member Joe Leogrande questioned whether the public policy was contradicting a revised ethics policy when it comes to being critical of the district.

Under the revised ethics policy, board members are obliged to accept all board decisions once made and not hinder their implementation. Yet the district spokesperson, under the public policy, is required to disseminate all information, positive or negative, to the public and press.

“I just don't want things shoved under the rug and not told because eventually they will get out and it will be worse,” he said.

Policy committee Chair Ginny Kent said she didn't see anything in either policy that would be contradictory or prevent board members from speaking out.

“I don't think there's anything that prevents us from being critical,” she said. “I don't think that's an issue. It's fine to be critical. That's dialogue. I think it's healthy. I think it's important. But being critical that seeks to create a better policy or condition.”

Leogrande ultimately praised the committee for revising the policy's language, which he said will create transparency.

The public policy committee, among other things, states the district superintendent is the spokesperson on district matters and the board president is the spokesperson on board matters, though both can also designate another district or board representative to be a spokesperson on issues when appropriate.

Additionally, board members, when questioned by reporters, should indicate that they are speaking as private citizens and not as board members unless empowered by the board to speak on its behalf.

In other news:

* The Cayuga County Legislature honored the Vanguard marching band and its director, Ed Meier, by proclaiming this week The Vanguard Week and Thursday, Nov. 20 as Ed Meier Day.

* The board unveiled its new initiative to focus on the positive aspects of education going on throughout the district. A banner that reads “We can make a difference,” hung across a board table and members as well as administration wore buttons that read the same.

* The next board meeting is slated for 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Auburn High School library.

Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net