IJNDD
SOCIAL MEDIA
The term "Social Media" as used in this policy shall refer to websites and applications that enable users to create, view and share content or to participate in social networking. References to "Social Media" are intended to be broadly construed, as Social Media may take on many forms. All online, electronic or computerized means of communication are subject to this policy. Given the rapid pace of technological change it is not possible to identify all Social Media outlets, but it should be understood by staff members that this policy equally applies to any Social Media website or application, whether identified in this policy or not.
The Superintendent and the School Principals will annually remind all staff members and orient new staff members concerning the importance of maintaining proper decorum in the on-line, digital world as well as in person. Employees must conduct themselves in ways that do not distract from or disrupt the educational process. The orientation and reminders will give special emphasis to:
1) Improper fraternization with students using social media or other electronic means -
a. Staff may not friend or follow current students on personal social media.
b. All electronic contacts with students should be through the district's e-mail, computer and telephone systems, except in emergency situations.
c. Team, class, or student organization pages, accounts, or groups will be created only in conjunction with the teacher, coach or faculty advisor. All groups must include the appropriate administrator as a member. Access to the page will remain with the teacher, coach or faculty advisor, however authentication particulars providing full access rights must be furnished to the office of the Technology Coordinator for each District/School related account.
d. All contact and messages by teachers, coaches and faculty advisors with team members shall be sent to all group members, except for messages concerning medical or academic privacy matters, in which case the messages will be copied to the appropriate administrator.
e. Staff will not give out their private cell phone or home phone numbers without prior approval of the district administration.
f. Inappropriate contact via phone or electronic device is prohibited.
2) Inappropriateness of posting items with sexual content.
3) Inappropriateness of posting items exhibiting or advocating use of drugs and alcohol.
4) Examples of inappropriate behavior from other districts, as behavior to avoid.
5) Monitoring and penalties for improper use of district computers and technology.
6) The possibility of penalties, including dismissal from employment, for failure to exercise good judgment in on-line conduct.
The Superintendent or designee will periodically conduct Internet searches to see if staff have posted inappropriate materials on-line. When inappropriate use of computers and websites is discovered, the School Principals and Superintendent will promptly bring that inappropriate use to the attention of the staff member and may consider and apply disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Staff members should always be mindful of how they present themselves to the world, both online and otherwise. A staff member's conduct in the social media area may be viewed as an extension of workplace behavior. Therefore, online behavior by staff members should meet the same standards as those used for face-to-face communications in the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District.
If a staff member is communicating on Social Media or school-based online communications as an employee of the District, he/she must be aware that observers will assume that he/she "speaks for the District." Therefore, all staff members' online communications must be professional at all times and should reflect positively on the District.
Please be advised that, when a staff member speaks through personal Social Media sites or tools on matters concerning their work or District issues, they may be viewed as speaking as employees and as such unintended consequences in your work environment may occur. Staff should follow the guidelines above in personal use of social media sites.
SOURCE: MASC
First Reading: 4/11/17 Second Reading: 4/25/17 ADOPTED: 5/9/17