Media Guidelines & Inquiries
Media Guidelines
The Yakima School District is committed to maintaining a safe, secure, and positive learning environment with clear academic goals and high expectations for all of our students. We take the safety and privacy of our students, teachers, and all District personnel very seriously.
The Yakima School District will make every reasonable effort to provide information which is a matter of public record to media outlets when and if it becomes available and is in compliance with State and Federal law, specifically but not limited to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), both of which can be accessed at the U.S. Department of Education website at www.ed.gov.
Members of the media are not permitted on any Yakima School District property (including parking lots and bus loading/unloading zones) without the Yakima School District Superintendent or Chief Communications Officer's prior written consent or invitation.
Faces and recognizable images of persons under the age of 18 may not be published or broadcast without a parent/guardian's written consent.
All requests for information to include, but not limited to, interviews, photos, statements, and statistics, should be directed to the Chief Communications Officer, who will contact the appropriate spokesperson and/or provide public information when and if available. At times, your request may require a public record request.
If any incident involves a formal investigation, the Yakima School District will defer all comments to the investigating agency, including but not limited to local, state, and federal law enforcement and fire departments. Also, the Yakima School District does not provide comment to the media regarding any active litigation.
We look forward to working with you in a mutually respectful environment that honors your mission and ours.
Media Inquiries
As a local public school system, YSD is glad to offer information to media outlets. Please complete the form linked below, and we will do our best to respond promptly. All inquiries go through the online form to the Communications office; please do not contact schools or any YSD staff or students directly. Please submit your inquiry as far in advance as possible. A week in advance is ideal. We rarely can accommodate same-day requests.
Please note that we do not answer questions or conduct interviews regarding a school board meeting in advance of the meeting. Reporters are advised and invited to attend public meetings (and request a follow-up interview afterward). Thank you.
Need a great story idea? Check out ideas submitted by our staff, students, and the community at www.YSD7.org/YSDstories Submit an online inquiry if you are interested in covering any of these YSD Stories.
Please note that media inquiries will not be processed when school is not in session.
Media Inquiry Form
Required
YSD Information Resources
- YSD News Releases and Emergency Messages (if within 30 days): www.flashalert.net/id/YSD
- YSD Stories: www.YSD7.org/ysdstories
- District Website: www.YSD7.org
- Twitter: twitter.com/YakimaSchools
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/yakimasd/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/YakimaSchools
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/yakima-school-district-7/
- Mobile App: /www.yakimaschools.org/mobileapp