1114 BP - District-Sponsored Social Media

Community Relations
Board Policy No. 1114, District-Sponsored Social Media
Policy adopted:  October 5, 2017

DISTRICT-SPONSORED SOCIAL MEDIA

The Governing Board recognizes the value of technology such as social media platforms in promoting community involvement and collaboration. The purpose of any official district social media platform shall be to further the district's vision and mission, support student learning and staff professional development, and enhance communication with students, parents/guardians, staff, and community members.

The Superintendent or designee shall develop content guidelines and protocols for official district social media platforms to ensure the appropriate and responsible use of these resources and compliance with law, Board policy, and regulation.

Guidelines for Content 

Official district social media platforms shall be used only for their stated purposes and in a manner consistent with this policy and administrative regulation.  By creating these official sites and allowing for public comment, the Board does not intend to create a limited public forum or otherwise guarantee an individual's right to free speech 

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the limited purpose of the official district social media platforms is clearly communicated to users.  Each site shall contain a statement that specifies the site's purposes along with a statement that users are expected to use the site only for those purposes.  Each site shall also contain a statement that users are personally responsible for the content of their posts.

Official district social media platforms may not contain content that is obscene, libelous, or so incites students as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on school premises, violation of school rules, or substantial disruption of the school's orderly operation.

Staff or students who post prohibited content shall be subject to discipline in accordance with district policies and administrative regulations. 

(cf. 4040 - Employee Use of Technology)

(cf. 4118 - Suspension/Disciplinary Action)

(cf. 4218 - Dismissal/Suspension/Disciplinary Action)

(cf. 5144.1 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)

(cf. 6163.4 - Student Use of Technology) 

Users of official district social media platforms should be aware of the public nature and accessibility of social media and that information posted may be considered a public record subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act. The Board expects users to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous, and professional manner.

Privacy 

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the privacy rights of students, parents/guardians, staff, Board members, and other individuals are protected on official district social media platforms.

Board policy pertaining to the posting of student photographs and the privacy of telephone numbers, home addresses, and email addresses, as specified in BP 1113 - District and School Web Sites, shall also apply to official district social media platforms.

(cf. 5125.1 - Release of Directory Information)

Social media and networking sites and other online platforms shall not be used by district employees to transmit confidential information about students, employees, or district operations. 

Legal Reference:

EDUCATION CODE

32261  School safety, definitions of bullying and electronic act

35182.5  Contracts for advertising

48900  Grounds for suspension and expulsion

48907  Exercise of free expression; rules and regulations

48950  Speech and other communication

49061  Definitions, directory information

49073  Release of directory information

60048  Commercial brand names, contracts or logos

GOVERNMENT CODE

3307.5  Publishing identity of public safety officers

6250-6270  Public Records Act, especially:

6254.21  Publishing addresses and phone numbers of officials

6254.24  Definition of public safety official

54952.2  Brown Act, definition of meeting

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 17

101-1101  Federal copyright law

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20

1232g  Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 29

157  Employee rights to engage in concerted, protected activity

794  Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; accessibility to federal web sites

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 34

99.1-99.67  Family Educational Rights and Privacy

 

 

 


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