Tipton County school board adopts emergency social‑media policy changes, moves to allow multiple student representatives

The Tipton County School Board approved an emergency reading of multiple policy changes Wednesday, including new language addressing employee conduct on social media and a revision to allow multiple student representatives beginning next school year.

Board members voted to approve the policy package after a policy committee update and discussion. The motion to approve the listed policies was made by Lavell and seconded by Jenkins; the board carried the motion by voice vote.

Board members said the social‑media language is intended to set expectations for employees about how online posts can affect trust in educators and the school system. A board member speaking before the vote said, “we also have the ability and I think the expectation to share those things responsibly,” and urged language that holds employees accountable for posts that could damage trust. The board conducted the change as an emergency reading — a process that allowed the policy to be adopted in a single meeting rather than the usual two readings — and members said the revised text will be posted on the district website when finalized.

Public commenter Ryan Riperton urged the board to publicize the change beyond the website, saying parents need to be able to find policy updates easily and suggesting the board post a brief social‑media notice with a link to the updated policy. Superintendent (Doctor Collins) responded that the updated policy will be posted on the district website and that the district can share a social‑media post with a direct link to the policy page so parents can find it without navigating multiple tabs.

The policy package approved in one motion included: a second reading of policy 1.1021; first readings of policies 3.3001, 3.402 and 3.404; an emergency reading of policy 1.8051; and changes to “policy section 3” described during the committee report. Board members also discussed a change to the student representative rule to allow multiple student representatives starting next school year so the outgoing student representative may finish his term while new student reps are added.

Board members said the district will publish the adopted policy language on its website and agreed to consider a social‑media post linking directly to the updated policy to help parents locate the changes.

The board took no separate disciplinary actions at the meeting; the discussion and emergency policy adoption addressed expectations and the posting of updated policy language for public review.