Trustees hold first reading of staff‑student conduct and social media policies after public concerns
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Summary
Board took public comment and debated proposed updates to three board policies on professional conduct, employee‑student interactions and social media; trustees asked staff to revise language with union input and return for further review rather than waive the second reading.
The Santa Rosa City Schools Board held a first reading and public discussion on proposed board policy updates addressing professional standards, employee–student conduct and social media use.
Public speakers — including teachers Megan Covey and Britney Afronti — urged the board to protect students while not discouraging authentic, trust‑building teacher‑student relationships. Covey described how sharing personal context helped students support a grieving teacher; Afronti urged policy language that allows appropriate, educationally relevant personal disclosures while restricting intimate or inappropriate details.
Trustees expressed similar concerns: they supported strong protections against grooming or exploitation but said some provisions as drafted could have a “chilling effect” on supportive, culturally responsive practices in classrooms. Several trustees asked that the policies be reviewed with labor representatives and that administrative regulations and staff training be developed to clarify implementation. District staff recommended treating the items as a first reading and not waiving a second reading; trustees agreed to return with revised language.
No adoption vote was taken at this meeting; trustees directed staff to work with bargaining units and return proposed revisions and administrative regulations for further board consideration.
Ending: Board members said they want clear, enforceable policy language that protects students while preserving teachers’ ability to build productive, supportive classroom relationships; staff will bring revised policy language and implementation plans back to the board for subsequent consideration.
