The Xenia Community School District recognizes the important role the media plays in providing information to the community concerning educational programs, issues, and events that happen in its schools. Xenia is committed to working with the media and to provide access to schools, students, and staff. It is the role of the district’s Coordinator of Communications to assist the media by providing information about the district in an accurate and timely manner.

Media Requests

Media* who want to film, photograph, or interview Xenia staff members, students, or board members are required to make a request directly to: 
  Kristy Creel, Coordinator of Communications
  Xenia Community Schools
  Email | 937-562-9005

To facilitate effective media engagement, and maintain an atmosphere that supports learning with as few disruptions as possible, we request your support with the following:

• Student Privacy & FERPA Compliance: XCS is committed to protecting student privacy and strictly adheres to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which allows students and parents to opt out of the release of certain information about students, including photographs. Media representatives must work with the Communications Office to ensure that appropriate permissions have been secured before capturing images, video, or interviews involving students during the school day and/or on school property.
• Photo Exceptions: As a general rule, media may take photos/video of students without parental consent during school events which are open to the general public, including athletic events. 
• Prior Coordination Required: All media requests to visit any XCS campus must be coordinated and approved through the Communications Office or Superintendent’s Office, to ensure minimal disruption to learning.
• Guest/Visitor Policy Agreement: Upon arrival, media representatives must sign in as a visitor and agree to XCS guest/visitor policies of conduct. 
• Escort: Any time a member of the media is on district property, the Coordinator of Communications or a designee will escort the media at all times to minimize disruption at the school and to assist with additional requests.
• Public Right-of-Way Reporting: We request courtesy communication of any reporting and/or filming conducted on public right-of-way properties (such as sidewalks, streets, or roadways) ahead of time, regardless of the subject matter being reported. This will help us minimize disruptions to students, families, and educators.
• Requests for interviews, footage, or information should include specific details regarding the nature of the story, requested interview subjects, and any desired video or photography needs. Providing this information in advance allows for timely responses.

Covering Board Meetings

In order to minimize disruption, media representatives are asked to maintain clear aisles and unobstructed access to entrances and exits.

If representatives intend to conduct interviews while the meeting is still in session, the media are asked to exit the board meeting area to minimize disruption.

Members of the media may approach School Board Members for interviews during a break, or before or after School Board meetings, workshops or briefings. All requests for interviews with the Superintendent and/or District staff should be coordinated in advance through the Communications Office.

*XCS defines “media” as organizations that maintain a consistent publication schedule, serve an established audience, and adhere to professional journalistic standards in news gathering and reporting.