Teachers, union leaders and parents urge board to adopt social-media standard after posts target staff

Multiple teachers, parents and union leaders told the Warren County School Board on March 5 that social-media attacks on staff have eroded morale and are making it harder to recruit and retain teachers. Speakers asked the board to create a social-media policy that would hold elected members to the same standards the division applies to employees.

Ken Kanesh, principal at Warren County High School, requested that the superintendent or his designee develop a policy for school board members modeled on policy GAB-R2, the division's standard for employees. "I would like to propose that the superintendent or his designee use policy GAB-R2 as a model to develop a similar policy," Kanesh told the board.

Several speakers said teachers were being publicly singled out. Elisa Bradford, a teacher and the Warren County Education Association (WCEA) secondary president, said she has removed certain curriculum examples from class to avoid their being distorted on social media. "Teachers are being attacked on social media for what they might say in a meeting or taught in a classroom. This is affecting our mental health," Bradford said.

WCEA representatives and classroom teachers reiterated staffing and resource concerns alongside the social-media complaints. "Our members are telling us they are worried, scared, and demoralized," WCEA Elementary President Rebecca Hudson said. The union leaders connected workplace morale directly to recruitment and retention, and urged the board to prioritize competitive compensation and working conditions.

Board members responded that school staff should follow the established chain of command when they have curriculum concerns. Board member Dr. Funk said concerns raised with the superintendent and principals had been forwarded and handled through the division's procedures; she also encouraged staff to speak without fear.

No formal policy motion was made by the board at the meeting on March 5; several board members said they would consider the request and review options for consistent standards. Public testimony and staff requests referenced specific policies and disclosure rules; speakers asked the board to act promptly.

Ending Speakers asked the board to develop a board-member social-media standard comparable to employee rules, and to prioritize salary and classroom resources. Board members said they would review policies, but did not adopt a new policy at the meeting.