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.
(cf. 0000 - Vision)
(cf. 0440 - District Technology Plan)
(cf. 1100 - Communication with the Public)
(cf. 1112 - Media Relations)
(cf. 1113 - District and School Web Sites)
(cf. 6020 - Parent Involvement)
(cf. 6145.5 - Student Organizations and Equal Access)
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.
(cf. 5145.2 - Freedom of Speech/Expression)
(cf. 6145.5 - Student Organizations and Equal Access)
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.
(cf. 5131 - Conduct)
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. 4119.21/4219.21/4319.21 - Professional Standards)
(cf. 4218 - Dismissal/Suspension/Disciplinary Action)
(cf. 5144 - Discipline)
(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.
(cf. 1340 - Access to District Records)
(cf. 9012 - Board Member Electronic Communications)
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.
(cf. 4119.23/4219.23/4319.23 - Unauthorized Release of Confidential/Privileged Information)
(cf. 5022 - Student and Family Privacy Rights)
(cf. 5125 - Student Records)
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
COURT DECISIONS
Page v. Lexington County School District, (2008, 4th Cir.) 531 F.3d 275
Downs v. Los Angeles Unified School District, (2000) 228 F.3d 1003
Aaris v. Las Virgenes Unified School District, (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 1112
Perry Education Association v. Perry Local Educators' Association, (1983) 460 U.S. 37
Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District, et.al. v. Pico, (1982) 457 U.S. 853
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD DECISIONS
18-CA-19081 Sears Holdings, December 4, 2009
Management Resources:
FACEBOOK PUBLICATIONS
Facebook for Educators Guide, 2011
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California School Public Relations Association: http://www.calspra.org
Facebook in Education: http://www.facebook.com/education
Facebook for Educators: http://facebookforeducators.org
Facebook, privacy resources: http://www.facebook.com/fbprivacy
Policy VALLECITO UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: January 18, 2012 Avery, California