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Board debate turns to social media policy as attorney urges caution and training
Summary
Board members clashed over social‑media posts they said disclosed confidential or inaccurate details; the board’s attorney summarized best practice guidance and the board agreed to request additional NJSBA ethics training and to move the matter to the policy committee.
A contentious new‑business discussion on May 20 centered on individual board members’ social‑media posts and whether those posts disclosed confidential information or repeated unverified numbers about student impacts.
Board attorney Mister Distler outlined basic safeguards he said board members should follow when posting about school matters: identify yourself as a board member and state that the post is not an official board statement, ensure posted information is accurate, and do not disclose confidential material. Distler cautioned that a disclaimer alone does not immunize a post that reveals confidential information.
Board members described examples they said had appeared on social platforms, and some residents in public comment urged the board to address posting conduct. Several members said the issue had already strained working relationships at the dais.
President Bradford asked NJSBA to provide in‑depth ethics and social‑media training; the board agreed to refer the detailed work to its policy committee. District administration and counsel declined to discuss pending specifics in public and said they would coordinate formal training and policy recommendations.
The board's response: commission training from NJSBA, place policy follow‑up with the policy committee, and avoid extended public debate about individual posts at regular meetings.
