The use of Social Media accounts for district communication must be approved in advance

There is a board policy related to the the use of social media accounts or websites that are associated with the district in some capacity.  This could be an account that shares information related to your classroom, after school activity/team, department, etc.  To request approval , review the board policy and complete the form in the link below.  These completed forms are to be delivered to your principal, and then to the Director of Technology and Information who will update records at Central Office.  

FTIS School Sponsored Social Media Approval Form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDf6zSRpG5QF7eiR_bnngHiJlA0fVoxPCILxc-AhtFucUcpA/viewform

Board Policy 08.2323

Employee Use 

Employees are encouraged to use electronic mail and other District technology resources to promote student learning and communication with the home and education-related entities. If those resources are used, they shall be used primarily for purposes directly related to work-related activities. 

Technology-based materials, activities and communication tools shall be appropriate for and within the range of the knowledge, understanding, age and maturity of students with whom they are used. 

District employees and activity sponsors may set up blogs and other social networking accounts using District resources and following District guidelines to promote communications with students, parents, and the community concerning school-related activities and for the purpose of supplementing classroom instruction. 

Networking, communication and other options offering instructional benefits may be used for the purpose of supplementing classroom instruction and to promote communications with students and parents concerning school-related activities. 

In order for District employees and activity sponsors to utilize a social networking site for instructional, administrative or other work-related communication purposes, they shall comply with the following: 

1. They shall request prior permission from the Superintendent/designee. 

2. If permission is granted, staff members will set up the site following any District guidelines developed by the Superintendent’s designee. 

3. Guidelines may specify whether access to the site must be given to school/District technology staff. 

4. If written parental consent is not otherwise granted through RUP forms provided by the District, staff shall notify parents of the site and obtain written permission for students to become “friends” prior to the students being granted access. This permission shall be kept on file at the school as determined by the Principal. 

5. Once the site has been created, the sponsoring staff member is responsible for the following: 

1. Monitoring and managing the site to promote safe and responsible use; and 

2. Observing confidentiality restrictions concerning release of student information under state and federal law. 

Staff members are discouraged from creating personal social networking sites to which they invite students to be friends. Employees taking such action do so at their own risk. 

All employees shall be subject to disciplinary action if their conduct relating to use of technology or online resources violates this policy or other applicable policy, statutory or regulatory provisions governing employee conduct. The Professional Code of Ethics for Kentucky School Certified Personnel requires certified staff to protect the health, safety, and emotional well-being of students and confidentiality of student information. Conduct in violation of this Code, including, but not limited to, such conduct relating to the use of technology or online resources, must be reported to Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) as required by law and may form the basis for disciplinary action up to and including termination. 

Once an individual is no longer employed with the Fort Thomas Independent Schools, he/she no longer retains the rights to a Fort Thomas Independent Schools network account (this includes both file storage and electronic mail). Employees who leave at the end of the school year will have account access through June 30. Employees who leave midyear will have account access for up to one (1) month. Back-up/transfer of data (including emails) is the responsibility of each individual employee.