Individual Board members may communicate to share information or expertise. The Board does not condone any communication (i.e., telephone, conference call, mail, or e-mail), directly or serially, which has the intent or effect of circumventing the Open Meetings Law. In order to ensure compliance with records retention, Freedom of Information Laws and discovery requirements, all e-mail communications concerning District business should be through the District issued email account.
Freedom of Information Law
In addition, communications maintained in some physical form, including email stored in a computer, that are received or prepared for use in Board
business or containing information relating to Board business, may be regarded as public records which may be inspected by any person upon request,
unless otherwise made confidential by state or federal law.
Board members will avoid reference to confidential information about employees, students, or other matters in e-mail communications because of the risk of improper disclosure. Board members will comply with the same standards as school employees with regard to confidential information.
Cross-ref: 1120, School District Records
2160, Code of Ethics for Officers and Employees
Ref: Public Officers Law §§ 102, 103, 108
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232g
Robert J. Freeman, Executive Director, NYS Committee on Open Government “E-Mail: Food for Thought”
Adoption date: May 7, 2018
Amended date: June 2, 2025