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Board holds first reading of staff‑student boundary policies after teachers, parents warn of chilling effect
Summary
Trustees conducted a first reading of proposed updates to multiple board policies governing employee conduct, social media and disclosures to students. Public commenters and trustees urged revisions and collaborative work with labor groups to avoid discouraging healthy teacher‑student relationships while protecting students from grooming and other
The Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Education opened a first reading on Aug. 27 of new and revised policies addressing employee conduct, social media and interactions with students, prompting public comment from teachers and community members who said the language risked chilling authentic, trust‑building relationships in classrooms.
Policy review and public comment
District leaders presented three related policy proposals that would set standards on professional conduct, personal disclosures to students and use of district‑sponsored social media. The board scheduled a first reading and declined to waive the second reading; trustees and administrators said they will work with labor groups and staff to refine the language before adoption.
Several teachers and parents urged changes. Megan Covey, a classroom teacher, described a real‑world teaching moment she said might run afoul of broadly worded language: “Sharing my reality with my students, something as human as grief, could be seen as disclosing personal matters. Yet those moments are the heart of teaching,” Covey told the board. Another commenter, Britney Afronti, urged administrators to preserve culturally responsive trust‑building practices while carving out safeguards against inappropriate disclosures.
Board members and staff response
Trustees voiced support for student protections but also for preserving teachers’ ability to connect with students. Trustee De La Torre said the current draft “seems a little too restrictive” and asked that policy development continue jointly with labor groups so teachers are not deterred from building trust. Trustee Jenkins asked for clearer, non‑duplicative language and guidance on how policies intersect with other board rules.
Superintendent August and staff emphasized the difference between board policy (the “what”) and administrative regulation (the “how”). August said policies set legal and liability boundaries and that the administrative regulations and training will be the primary vehicle to clarify implementation for staff. Trustees directed staff to return with revised language after consultation with labor groups and suggested using administrative regulations and training to preserve culturally responsive practices while enforcing clear boundaries against exploitation or grooming.
Next steps
The board took no final action; trustees asked staff to revise the draft wording in consultation with employee groups and to return for a further public reading. District staff said the administrative regulation accompanying the board policy will be developed to guide implementation and training.
