Unionville‑Chadds Ford previews changes to social‑media policy and expands FERPA opt‑out options for families

The Unionville‑Chadds Ford School District on June 9 previewed proposed revisions to its social‑media policy that administrators said are intended to balance broad community outreach with families’ privacy concerns.

Communications director Nikki LaRoya told the board the district maintains multiple official social accounts and that social media drives substantial traffic to district channels: "Our Facebook account has 4,399 lifetime followers, and our Instagram account has 2,862 followers," she said, adding that the district recorded roughly 203,000 combined views across its channels over the prior month. LaRoya said images and short videos produce the highest engagement and that the district uses social media to reach residents, alumni and community leaders the district does not consistently reach through other channels.

LaRoya said the proposed policy change (8.15.1) would require board approval for accounts to be designated "official," clarify that the district’s FERPA notice and opt‑out procedures apply only to district‑maintained channels, and provide families two specified options at annual PowerSchool re‑registration: a family may either opt out of directory sharing for social media while still allowing yearbook inclusion, or opt out of directory sharing entirely (which would also exclude yearbook). "That will be a required form in PowerSchool at the beginning of the academic year," LaRoya said; she added the district reached an 87% re‑registration completion rate this year and reported 14 students opted out representing eight families, with opt‑out counts by building noted for the board.

Board members asked how the policy treats unofficial or staff‑run accounts. LaRoya said unofficial accounts are not covered by the district FERPA notice; those account administrators "assume risk for their own activity," she said, and the district will provide additional principal and staff training so individuals understand that FERPA protections apply only to district channels.

Administrators also noted operational changes in platform usage — the district is sunsetting its X/Twitter account on June 30 — and said the policy language would make it easier to pare back or designate which building accounts are necessary.

Why this matters: administrators said the policy is intended to give families clearer, simpler control over student images and personally identifiable information while preserving a district ability to share accomplishments and safety‑critical information. The item is listed for approval at next week’s regular board meeting; the board did not take a final vote at the work session.

Next steps: The board will consider a vote on the policy and related student‑handbook items at its regular meeting next week.