In an effort to disseminate District information to stakeholders, Victoria ISD will work cooperatively with news media for coverage of issues and events involving the school district, its students, or staff. However, Victoria ISD is dedicated to providing all students with a safe, learning environment without unnecessary interruptions. Therefore, the following guidelines are in effect at all district campuses and facilities:

• Victoria ISD is committed to working cooperatively with the news media. It is the role of the Communications Department to coordinate meetings and coverage for departments and District campuses, preparing departments, District campuses, and news media partners for an onsite visit, and responding to news outlet inquiries. 

• All media inquiries are required to be directed to the Executive Director of Communications & Public Relations including inquiries sent via e-mail. Exceptions include routine athletic and/or extracurricular activity news coverage during games, tournaments, and/or performances conducted outside the normal school day.

• The Communications Department contact information: 361-788-9202 or visdcommunications@visd.net

• The Executive Director of Communications & Public Relations and/or the Communications Department should be contacted when a representative of the media requests to visit a campus or arrives at a campus without prior approval.

• A member of the media may interview staff or students during the school day with prior approval from the Executive Director of Communications & Public Relations and so long as the student has a media release on file with the district. Media representatives may be allowed access to a classroom only at the discretion of the Executive Director of Communications & Public Relations and campus principal, and only if the classroom teacher and/or appropriate staff member(s) have been notified and have agreed that it will not be disruptive to the learning environment. Taking photographs, audio, or video will need prior approval and all photos and video will need approval prior to publishing by the media partner.

• Prior to any media visit, appropriate time must be given to district administrators to verify student privacy preferences and appropriate notification to the campus and building administrators. 

• Victoria ISD strictly enforces and follows student privacy preferences and releases of student information as outlined in FERPA guidelines. 

All press releases from the VISD Communications Department will be sent to local media partners:

• KAVU

• Townsquare Media

• Revisita de Victoria

• Victoria Advocate