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Committee advances updates to staff ethics, nepotism, conduct and social media rules
Summary
Committee members reviewed Section G personnel policies — including staff code of ethics, nepotism limits, consensual-relationship disclosures, professional conduct, and a new social media rule — and agreed to language clarifications and an exception process in narrow circumstances.
The Williamsburg County policy committee spent much of the meeting reviewing Section G, a group of 66 personnel-related policies, and recommended clarifications to staff ethics, nepotism, staff conduct and social media guidance.
The committee emphasized alignment with state law and professional standards. The chair read language requiring staff to adhere to the South Carolina Ethics, Government Accountability, and Campaign Reform Act and described prohibited conduct, including using employment to obtain an economic interest for themselves or associated persons. The committee proposed adding a board override provision so, upon recommendation of the superintendent or his designee, the board could suspend application of the nepotism rule in narrowly defined situations deemed in the district’s best interest.
On consensual relationships, the draft forbids romantic or sexual relationships between supervisors and subordinates and requires written disclosure to a building principal or the superintendent so supervisory duties can be reassigned if needed. “I think that this will allow for those special circumstances to be considered and then we can honor them and review them on a case by case basis,” Dr. Moore said when the exception language was discussed.
Committee members reviewed GB (staff conduct) that lists professional expectations and a non-exhaustive set of misconduct that can lead to immediate suspension or termination. The committee also clarified the district’s response to arrests by staff: some misdemeanors may not lead to action, others may prompt suspension with pay pending adjudication, and felony arrests generally prompt suspension with pay pending adjudication.
The group directed substantial attention to a proposed social media policy. The draft urges staff to use social media professionally and warns that online activity can disrupt the school environment or violate law or policy. The draft requires staff to avoid posting confidential student information, photographs or video taken on district property without parental or district permission and recommends that staff create separate district accounts for educational content. When asked whether social media posted on district equipment was allowed, a committee member noted the superintendent retains authority to act on information that appears to violate policy; Dr. Moore affirmed that restriction.
Members suggested clarifying language in the social media rule to specify that “no private messages” includes texts, emails and social apps, and to list examples (text messages, emails, Instagram) in parentheses. The committee requested that principals attend the next policy-review session so building leaders are familiar with the finalized language before items go to the full board.
The committee will forward the edited Section G policies, including the proposed exception process and clarified social media rules, to the full board for consideration.
