District proposes umbrella communications policy to centralize accounts, protect student data and standardize emergency messaging

Glenna presented a proposed districtwide communications policy she described as an umbrella that would consolidate social media, website and other external-content procedures to protect student data, ensure ADA accessibility and clarify who may speak for the district. She said the policy responds to recent enforcement actions against vendors and the discovery of an old district link that now redirects to an adult website as an example of continuing risk.

The policy, Glenna said, would require that district-owned or approved accounts be coordinated through the communications office, create a process for approving content platforms and external links, and require legal verbiage and data-privacy checks for official accounts. She said a single-source portal of approved external links and apps is being prepared to help staff find and use approved tools.

Glenna said the policy would also centralize emergency communications: only the superintendent or the designated public-information officer would initiate districtwide emergency broadcasts. She described planned procedures and training for administrators and noted the district will pilot a two-way, documented communications app for coaches and staff that preserves records and meets privacy requirements.

She acknowledged implementation will be a large undertaking, said the district will roll procedures and training in phases and estimated a draft of distribution procedures within six weeks. The board discussed questions about school-level posting and brand identity and asked for clarity on when school accounts must include district branding; Glenna said procedures will spell out those circumstances.

No formal policy vote occurred; staff will return with procedures, implementation timelines and recommended rollouts.