Parents and media have opportunities to photograph pupils as they participate in activities each school year, but the photo policy varies from school to school.

In 2000, the district adopted a policy that allowed pupils' photos to be part of directory information. The information is provided to parents in the school's handbook the first day of school. If parents do not want their child's photo taken, they must notify the school. For other photos, principals set the policy.

"Generally, if it is for positive publicity, we like having the media in," said Peggy Trivelas, the principal of Chukker Creek Elementary School. "If we invite the media in, then we're asking for their coverage."

Administrators agree the policy needs flexibility because each situation is different.

The district exercised that right in December when two Silver Bluff High School students died in a landslide Dec. 17. The district did not release the students' photos, although they were directory information. Silver Bluff High School Principal Todd Bornsheuer did not return phone calls seeking comment about the situation.

Attorney Bill Burkhalter said the policy probably wouldn't change because principals know more about individual situations than the district office.

"There are so many different issues that we have to have a provision for some discretion," Mr. Burkhalter said. "The concept of the directory information is that there are permissible data about the students that can be released, but it doesn't mandate that the district has to release those in every situation."

Mr. Burkhalter said sports coverage is one situation where the policy changes.

"There is usually a separate provision where parents permit publicity photos and action photos," Mr. Burkhalter said. "It allows them to release personal information in the program about people playing, like weight and height; there is an expectation that in sports context there will be publicity."

LaWana McKenzie, the principal of Jefferson Elementary School, said interpreting the policy comes down to common sense.

"It's done according to what's going on in the school day and what will not be a disruption," Ms. McKenzie said. "It's totally different when we're having class and when we're not stopping learning."

Judy Boyd, a parent with four children in the district, said she's never heard any negative feedback about taking photos at school.

"Personally I do not have any problems with someone putting a school photo in the paper, but maybe if there was marital discord it would change a situation," Ms. Boyd said.

Reach Julia Sellers at (803) 648-1395, ext. 106, or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com.