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Board to post bullying-policy revisions for 30-day public review to comply with state law
Summary
Glynn County Schools staff asked the board to post proposed revisions to policy JCDA-G for 30 days to align with Senate Bill 351 (Protecting Georgia's Children on Social Media Act), narrowing when cyberbullying falls under school jurisdiction and expanding required parent notice and referral language.
Miss Haywood asked the board to place proposed revisions to board policy JCDA-G on a 30-day public review period so the district meets statutory changes that take effect July 1, 2026. "The key substantive change narrows the definition of cyberbullying," she said, "so it now applies only when the conduct occurs on school property, at school events, or on school technology."
Under the changes staff outlined, off-campus posts made on personal devices would be outside the school’s jurisdiction unless the content is shared at school and otherwise meets the bullying definition. Ms. Haywood said the draft policy also expands procedural language to require broader notice and referrals: parents must be notified of allegations and victims' parents must be informed when a student is a targeted or suspected victim; notices should include referrals for counseling and age-appropriate services as appropriate.
Board members asked how the change affects incidents students report that originate off campus. Ms. Haywood explained that incidents occurring off campus on non‑district devices would generally fall to law enforcement unless the conduct is shared on campus or otherwise meets the district’s bullying criteria. She noted that community‑misconduct provisions and criminal conduct remain separate from the bullying policy.
Ms. Haywood said the state board released model policy guidance in March and that GSBA and the Department of Education issued a model policy on April 16, 2026; the district used that model to draft its revisions. She recommended placing the draft on the district web site and the assembly platform for public comment during the 30‑day review window and returning to the board in June for final action so the district is in compliance before the July 1 effective date.
The board discussed outreach to parents beyond posting on the web, including social media and district communications, and asked staff to provide clear instructions for where and how to submit comments during the review period. The board did not take a final vote on the policy at the session; staff said they will present the public comments and recommended changes at the next meeting.
