School Board Intends to Limit Electronic Communication between Teachers and Students

BRADENTON – The school board unanimously approved a controversial notice of intent to limit social media between teachers and students. Several issues surfaced with the proposed amendment of the established policy 4.7, including the idea that students may be more likely to reach out to teachers and respond through a medium they’re more comfortable with.

According to the school superintendent, the purpose of the amendment is meant to clearly define what is expected of all staff when they are using the electronic systems provided by the school district. It addresses inappropriate and illegal issues and includes references to emerging technologies accessible through the district network. In a nutshell, the basis of the board’s belief is that district employees and teachers are all subject to an already established principle of a common-sense code of ethics that applies 24/7, especially when it involves students.
 
”We want to make the expectations clear and condense the current policy. We just want to make sure it is in the for-front,“ said Superintendent Tim McGonegal. ”This isn’t a ban on Facebook, but if teachers are communicating with students through this type of social network then the parents should know about it.“

The new policy would require teachers to notify parents if they plan to communicate with students via Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, or any other web-based social network. Currently, written permission would not be required according to the school district attorney (although a permission slip is present in the preliminary amedment). It would also clarify that when an employee is using county materials such as school computers, they’re actions are not protected by privacy rights. The school district has the ability to monitor certain materials and how they are utilized. They would also have the authority to inspect school-owned computers with justifiable cause.

At present, the policy is eleven pages long and contains perplexing language. The amendment adoption would condense it to three pages – but educators wonder if that is a good thing. Fluidity allows for more adaptation and the web offers a myriad of learning opportunities that could be lost to stringent regulations. On the other hand, members of the board feel new teachers are more likely to read and comply with a condensed and coherent policy. This would be a great contrast to the standard signing without reading scenario.

Board Member Robert Gause asked that a clause be added so that a parent may request to be cc’d on all communication between student and teacher. Barbra Harvey expressed concerns that if a child was trying to reach out to their teacher because of abuse or some other problem at home, they might be more likely to communicate through a medium of their comfort. She also played her own advocate on the issue.

”There have been situations of communication that just aren’t appropriate, and as a parent I would be furious“ she said. ”Quite frankly, some parents would be able to sue over these incidents.“

However, other implications may follow the approval such as the Teacher’s Union protesting the measure because of violated privacy rights and freedom of speech restrictions.

”Yes, the First Amendment will be an issue, but as we’ve seen in other Supreme Court cases, not all speech is protected,“ said John Bowen, attorney for the Manatee County School District. ”We will have to evaluate each case that comes up. We need to protect employees’ rights for freedom of expression.“

 ”We need to choose the language as carefully as possible, so we don’t limit opportunity or infringe on rights,“ said board member Jane Pfeilsticker.

This complicated matter is open for community discussion. The public hearing is scheduled for October 25, 2010.

Other Board Action:

• Approval of advertising a Notice of Intent to amend Policy 3.9, Political Activity, and setting a public hearing on the proposed amendment at the board meeting scheduled Oct. 25, 2010. (Unanimous)

• Approval of advertising a Notice of Intent to amend Policy 5.7, Student Assignment, and setting a public hearing on the proposed amendment at the board meeting scheduled Dec. 13, 2010. (Unanimous)

• Approval of the revised school calendar for 2010-2011 school-year. (Unanimous)

• Approval to implement new health insurance premiums - school board will have to increase family premiums to keep up with rising healthcare costs. (Unanimous)