By JIM BUTLER

Supt. Jeff Powell wants to discuss a system media policy at Tuesday’s special meeting of the School Board. 

Restricting who can speak to the media about system matters, and when, is an issue within government in general, heightened in importance due to consideration of minors. 

The posted agenda item reads: Motion to consider a Media Policy to establish clear guidelines for media engagement, student privacy, and responsible communication within the system. 

The proposed policy raises the obvious issue of free speech as well as the corollary — responsible official speech. 

Powell’s item doesn’t indicate what, if any, particular matter prompts the discussion. 

Policy covering news stories, statements, PSA, photographs and other information items is commonplace among public agencies. 

Most go out of their way to make it clear that employees have a right to personal opinion and expressing it as long as it’s made clear their views are personal not official.  

Critics of official-speak contend the public gets only what the system wants it to read, hear or see as a result. 

The more daunting aspect of the speech issue is that of social media. 

There’s little grey in the private sector — it’s employer’s way or the highway in employment at-will environments. 

Public employees in some jurisdictions have more latitude than others.