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Committee reviews draft social-media policy; administrators to consult coaches and principals
Summary
The School Committee reviewed recommended changes to an employee social-media policy aimed at clarifying staff communications with students and families; members asked administrators to consult coaches and activity leaders about practical communication needs before a final draft.
The School Committee held a discussion Oct. 23 about an updated employee social-media policy recommended by the district counsel and the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC).
The draft adds language reminding staff of First Amendment rights while emphasizing that outside communications must not disrupt the workplace, and it sets guardrails for electronic contacts with students and families. "While the district recognizes that employees retain First Amendment rights...employees should be thoughtful in how they communicate on matters of local, state, national concerns such that their communication do not disrupt the workplace," a staff presenter read from the proposed language.
Why it matters: Recent high-profile national incidents involving employee social-media postings prompted a district review of whether existing local rules covered staff conduct and informal communications with families and students. Committee members asked for clearer definitions and practical guidance for coaches and activity advisers who commonly use group messaging apps or text chains to coordinate practices and events.
Questions raised: Members asked for a clearer definition of "emergency situation" (an exception mentioned in the draft) and whether the policy would prohibit widely used team communication apps. Administrators said the district can offer technical solutions such as school-managed Zoom phone numbers or centralized platforms so staff do not give out personal phone numbers. Committee members also requested input from athletic and activity leaders before finalizing the policy; the committee asked that Athletic Director Matt Baker and middle/high school principals join a future policy subcommittee meeting.
Next steps: Administrators said they would run proposed language past principals, coaches and the athletic director and return a revised draft to the policy subcommittee. The committee did not vote on the policy at the meeting.
