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Attorney General opinion narrows rules on teacher‑student messaging; Woodford board reviews guidance
Summary
District staff reviewed an Aug. 1, 2025 Attorney General opinion on SB 181, which permits public social‑media comments but restricts direct messaging between school staff and students, exempts student workers and volunteers, and allows emergency non‑traceable messages to parents; board members asked for legislative clarification on staff‑to‑student emergencies.
Woodford County Board of Education members heard a presentation on Aug. 1 about the Attorney General's opinion clarifying Kentucky's SB 181 on so‑called "traceable communication." The presentation, posted to the district website, reiterated that the opinion distinguishes public social‑media comments from private direct messages and sets narrow exceptions for emergencies and for some categories of student workers.
"Here's the opinion document from the attorney general, which was dated 08/01/2025," district presenter Dr. Abern told the board, and he summarized its central points: the opinion says student workers and student volunteers are not subject to SB 181 and that public commenting on social posts is allowed, but direct messages to students are restricted absent an approved traceable system.
The opinion also addresses emergencies, the presenter said, quoting the document: "Thus, it is permissible for a school district employee to engage in a non traceable communication when with parents under emergency circumstances or otherwise." Board members sought clarity about whether the opinion permits or addresses direct, non‑traceable messages to students during an active crisis.
"That does not mean that it's okay to communicate with a student," a board member said during the discussion, pointing out the opinion explicitly mentions parents, not students, for emergency exceptions. Another attendee who reviewed the law told the board, "The law is black and white on that," underscoring the legal distinction staff is treating as unresolved for student‑directed emergency communications.
Board members and staff said they expect the issue to return to the legislature for further refinement. Several trustees urged the public to contact elected officials to raise concerns about narrow or ambiguous language in the statute that, they said, could hinder on‑the‑ground communication in emergencies.
The district posted the opinion and related guidance on its website under the "traceable communication" section and maintains an FAQ and list of board‑approved traceable platforms for staff use.
