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District staff to update Internet acceptable‑use policy to comply with Georgia Senate Bill 351
Summary
Barrow County staff presented a complete rewrite of policy IFBG to comply with the Protecting Georgia’s Children on Social Media Act (Senate Bill 351) and recommended the board place the new policy on the agenda for the September 2 meeting; GaDOE approval is required and failure to submit could risk state funds.
District staff on Tuesday recommended the Barrow County Board of Education adopt a rewritten Internet acceptable‑use policy (IFBG) to comply with recent state legislation, and asked the board to place the new policy on the agenda for formal adoption on Sept. 2, 2025.
Why it matters: Senate Bill 351 (the Protecting Georgia’s Children on Social Media Act of 2024) requires districts to update acceptable‑use policies and submit board‑approved policies to the Georgia Department of Education by specified deadlines; failure to do so may expose districts to withheld funds.
A district presenter explained the current IFBG was last revised in 2004 and reviewed in 2016 and that the new law includes multiple new requirements. The presenter said the new policy is a complete rewrite that preserves relevant material from the old policy and adds required components from SB 351; the superintendent recommended placing the new IFBG on the table for review and scheduling a vote at the Sept. 2 board meeting.
The presenter noted a financial risk if the district fails to adopt and secure DOE approval. “Senate bill 351 includes a provision to withhold funds from districts who failed to submit, and gain DOE approval of a board approved policy by October 1 for the approval and October 15 for the deadline,” the presenter said, adding that there is no direct financial impact for adoption but a compliance‑related risk if deadlines are missed.
Board members did not vote on the policy on Tuesday; staff asked that the rewritten policy and a companion regulation be posted for review and returned for action in September.
