Board recommends keeping district social-media comment sections closed after legal review of monitoring burden

Board members reviewed research and legal advice on reopening social-media public comments. Staff said they had surveyed nearby districts and reviewed counsel guidance and recommended the district keep social-media comment sections closed because the district cannot reliably monitor comments around the clock and would be exposed to inconsistent public standards and removal decisions.

The staff presentation listed local districts with varying approaches: some operate nonpublic forums that require membership to comment, some allow comments on certain pages, and some do not permit comments at all. Staff cited concerns about posts appearing overnight and the district’s inability to monitor or moderate 24/7, noting that communications staff already cover other duties and could not reliably patrol comment threads at all hours.

Board members acknowledged that some districts allow filtered or moderated comment systems and that options such as muting slurs or using a Google form for feedback existed; staff noted the district already maintains a Google form for public comment that is available on the website but said usage is infrequent. District counsel advised that opening a public comment forum could create expectations for monitoring and uneven enforcement if moderators must apply community standards.

No formal policy change was approved during the discussion; staff said the information would be compiled and returned to the board for further consideration. The conversation was principally informational and advisory.