Board postpones vote on employee social-media/fraternization changes after public concern

The Duval County School Board on March 4 withdrew a proposed revision related to employee conduct, social media and fraternization in Chapter 6 and set a date-certain follow-up for May after extended public comment and board discussion.

The item prompted multiple public speakers who expressed concerns about vague terms such as “unprofessional” and whether elected board members would be covered by the same rules. Speakers also questioned enforcement and legal reach; several called for clearer language and training alternatives. One public commenter cited past workshop remarks by a board member and urged that the policy apply to elected members as well as district employees.

District legal counsel and the superintendent discussed enforcement limits under Florida law and administrative procedure, noting that discipline for employees must meet state statutory and case-law standards; board members, as elected officials, cannot be disciplined by board policy in the same manner as employees. After discussion among board members — who said they wanted clearer language and further work on related policies — the board voted to withdraw/postpone the item and return it for consideration in May.

Outcome and next steps: The board unanimously approved a motion to withdraw and bring the item back with a date certain (May). Staff were directed to continue drafting and to coordinate related bringbacks on interlocking policies (including the related social-media language in policy 6.83).