Policy committee backs forwarding social-media restriction targeting posts that 'glorify unlawful violence' to full Caddo Parish School Board
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Summary
A policy committee voted to send proposed language to the full Caddo Parish School Board that would add a clause banning employee posts that support or glorify unlawful violence when those posts disrupt district operations; the committee debated First Amendment limits and whether the rule applies to elected board members.
The Caddo Parish School Board policy review committee voted on a recommendation to send proposed language to the full board that would add an 11th clause to the district's employee social-media policy (EFAV), barring employees from posting or sharing content that "supports or glorifies unlawful violence or threats of harm" when that content disrupts workplace efficiency, undermines public trust or poses a reasonable risk of harm.
Miss McLean (committee member) moved the recommendation, arguing the clause would give administrators "additional tools" to address posts that rise to incitement or create serious disruption. "This just allows our administration additional tools to deal with situations like that," she said, adding the language targets unlawful incitement rather than casual support for sporting events.
Legal counsel explained the constitutional limits on disciplining speech. "If you have free speech, it has to truly affect your job site ... and what it does and how it affects it" before disciplinary action is appropriate, Speaker 1 told the committee, characterizing the proposed addition as a "safety feature" rather than a new power to punish ordinary unpopular speech.
District staff noted the proposed language is consistent with existing employee-conduct policy GBRA, which addresses conduct that affects job performance. "Because of that, staff supports" the clarification, a staff member said, describing the change as focused on unlawful threats or conduct that harms employees' ability to perform.
The committee heard public comment urging clearer presentation of proposed changes—John Glover asked that future proposals include strikeout/redline versions on BoardDocs so the public can compare edits—and a teacher testified about attendance issues but not the social-media item.
Committee members debated whether the clause would apply to elected board members; counsel said the policy was likely intended for employees and that disciplining an elected official raises different considerations, though a complaint could prompt review. During the voice vote on the recommendation, members disputed the tally and who had voted which way. The committee agreed to bring the proposed EFAV language before the full Caddo Parish School Board at its next meeting for final consideration.
The full board will consider the recommended change at its next meeting; the committee did not adopt a final board-level policy at this session.
