Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Goals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board discusses staff social-media and photo-use concerns, agrees to study before policy change
Summary
Board members debated whether staff phone use and classroom photo-posting should be a new board priority; members agreed to research the issue through workshops or a small subcommittee rather than immediately adopting policy changes.
The West Bath School Board discussed whether to add staff use of social media and classroom photographs to its board goals, with members agreeing to learn more before proposing formal policy changes.
A board member proposed exploring the relationship between technology and education and said research such as a book called The Anxious Generation had prompted concern about social media’s effects on students. The member asked the board to “look at the policy on our school’s use of social media and cell phones, staff, you know, just looking at that,” and suggested a subcommittee or workshops to gather information.
Superintendent Emily responded that the district already obtains annual parental photo permission and has staff guidance on which students can be photographed. She told the board, “When it happens annually, then we get those permissions…nothing ever gets posted that we don't have permissions for,” and said the district removes any posts that inadvertently identify students.
Board members were split on whether to add the topic as a formal board goal. Some said it fit under the existing wellness goal and suggested the wellness council or a short ad hoc committee could gather facts and report back. The board moved to take the goals off the table for discussion and later approved revised goal wording; members agreed to pursue education and research (book studies, speakers or a small committee) before drafting policy.
