GCAB - Personal Communication Devices and Social Media - Staff
Policy GCAB
Code: GCAB
Adopted: 10/30/17
Revised/Readopted: 9/27/10
Orig. Code(s): GCAB
Staff possession or use of personal electronic devices on district property, in district facilities during the work day and while the staff is on duty in attendance at district-sponsored activities may be permitted subject to the limitations set forth in this policy and consistent with any additional district or school rules as may be established by the superintendent or designee. At no time, whether on duty or off duty, will a personal electronic device be used in a manner that interferes with staff duty and responsibility for the instruction and supervision of students, or in a manner that violates state and federal law.
A “personal electronic device” is a device, not issued by the district, that is capable of electronically communicating, sending, receiving, storing, recording, reproducing and/or displaying information and data.
Personal electronic devices shall be silenced during instructional time, while on duty, or at any other time where such use of the device would cause a disruption of school activities or interfere with work assignment. Devices which have the capability to take photographs or record video or audio shall not be used for such purposes while on district property or while a staff member is on duty in district-sponsored activities, unless for a use directly related to and consistent with the employee’s assigned duties.
Staff members, while on duty and off duty, will utilize social media websites, public websites and blogs, judiciously by not posting confidential information about students, staff or district business.[1] Staff may not post images of district facilities, staff, students, volunteers or parents without written authorization from persons with authority to grant such a release. Staff members, while on duty and off duty, will treat fellow employees, students and the public with respect while posting on social media websites, etc., in order to prevent substantial disruption in school. Communication with students using personal electronic devices will be appropriate and professional. Communication with students using personal electronic devices regarding nonschool-related matters is discouraged.
Social media tools[2] (as defined in administrative regulation GCAB-AR) may be used by staff in a manner that supports the instructional and learning environment.
Exceptions to the prohibitions set forth in this policy may be made for health, safety or emergency reasons with superintendent or designee approval.
Staff are subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal for using a personal electronic device in any manner that is illegal or violates the terms of this policy or administrative regulation.
The taking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing of obscene, pornographic, or otherwise illegal images or photographs, whether by electronic data transfer or otherwise (commonly called texting, sexting, emailing etc.) may constitute a crime under state and/or federal law and will be reported to law enforcement and/or other appropriate state or federal agencies.
The district will not be liable for loss or damage to personal electronic devices brought to district property and district-sponsored activities.
The superintendent shall ensure that this policy is available to all employees.
END OF POLICY
Legal Reference(s):
ORS 167.057
ORS 163.432
ORS 163.433
ORS 163.684
ORS 163.686
ORS 163.687
ORS 163.688
ORS 163.689
ORS 163.693
ORS 163.700
ORS 326.011
ORS 326.051
ORS 332.072
ORS 332.107
ORS 336.840
[OAR 584-020-0000 to -0035]
Copyrights, Title 17, as amended, United States Code; 19 C.F.R. Part 133 (2014).
Melzer v. Bd. Of Educ., City of New York, 336 F.3d 185 (2d Cir. 2003).
Ross v. Springfield Sch. Dist., No. FDA 80-1, aff’d, 56 Or. App. 197, rev’d and remanded, 294 Or. 357 (1982), order on remand (1983), aff’d, 71 Or. App. 111 (1984), rev’d and remanded, 300 Or. 507 (1986), order on second remand (1987), revised order on second remand (1988).
Cross Reference(s):
JHFF - Reporting Requirements Regarding Sexual Conduct with Students
[1]Nothing in this policy is intended in any form to limit the right of employees to engage in protected labor activities via the use of social media.
[2]Nothing in this policy is intended in any form to limit the right of employees to engage in protected labor activities via the use of social media.
GCAB-AR
Code: GCAB-AR
Revised/Readopted: 5/17/16
A “personal electronic device” is a device, not issued by the district, that is capable of electronically communicating, sending, receiving, storing, recording, reproducing, and/or displaying information or data.
Personal electronic devices shall be silenced during instructional time, while on duty, or at any other time where such use of the device would cause a disruption of school activities or interfere with work assignment. Devices which have the capability to take photographs or record video or audio shall not be used for such purposes while on district property or while a staff member is on duty in district-sponsored activities, unless for a use directly related to and consistent with the employee’s assigned duties.
Staff may use and possess personal electronic devices on district grounds subject to the following:
- Personal electronic devices will be used in a manner that does not interfere with staff duty and responsibility for the instruction and supervision of students, or in a manner that violates state or federal law, Board policy, administrative regulation or school rules;
- Personal electronic devices shall be silenced when not being used for instructional purposes or at any other time where use of the device would cause a disruption of school activities or interfere with work assignment. Exceptions may be made for health, safety or emergency reasons with superintendent or designee approval;
- The use of personal electronic devices in any manner that would violate the confidentiality or privacy rights of another individual is strictly prohibited;
- The district will not be responsible for loss, theft or damage to personal electronic devices brought to district property or school-sponsored events.
Instructional/Professional Use of Electronic Devices
- Communication with students on personal electronic devices will be limited to matters within the scope of your professional responsibilities, related only to school assignments or activities. Staff are discouraged from communicating with a student’s personal electronic device without prior parental consent and all messages should be sent to both students and parents.
- Due to potential family fiscal impact, staff should request permission from parents for students to use cell phones related to instruction.
- Staff may not require students to use cell phones in class. Alternate and equitable opportunities must be available for students.
- Staff must use their District issued email address for all email communications with students and parents.
Social Media
Social media sites are web- or mobile-based applications that permit users to interact over the Internet. Social media sites typically have functionality allowing users to post information representing the user (a “profile”) and provide the ability for a user to share text, audio, image or video data. Examples of social networking sites for the purposes of this document would be but are not limited to: Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Social media sites allow users to connect and view profile information via a connection between accounts (“friending” or “following”).
A “professional profile” is defined as information created specifically for use with students in the classroom or as a communication tool with students, staff and parents. This type of page includes instructional information directly related to the classroom. Any professional profile shall clearly identify the teacher and include the teacher’s district teacher’s email address.
A ”personal profile” is information not related to school or classroom activities.
Instructional/Professional Use of Social Media
- All Board policies and ethical expectations for appropriate staff/student relationships must be followed when using social media sites for instruction.
- All social media postings must be respectful, professional and must follow District rules and policies.
- Staff members must adhere to all federal and state laws regarding confidentiality of student information.
- Posts to any social media site must adhere to all applicable intellectual property and copyright laws.
- Staff should not share personal social media sites that permit social interaction with students currently enrolled in the district. This includes becoming “friends” or interacting through personal pages.
- Social media interactions between staff and students and/or parents are considered public record, subject to data retention requirements and public records requests.
- Staff who are using social media sites for instructionally with students must create professional pages that clearly identify the staff member, position with the district and the purpose of the page.
- Staff must read and follow Privacy and Terms of Use policies for any site they intend to use with students.
- Staff cannot require students to have social media accounts. For this reason, any information posted on social media sites for students and/or parents must be accessible by alternate means in a timely manner.
- Staff who wish to invite non-district employees (e.g., authors, NASA experts, mathematicians, artists, etc.) to social media sites for interaction their students must do so in an online environment controlled and monitored by the teacher. There must be no personal communication between the invitee and individual student.
- District policies (GCDA/GDDA), administrative regulations and policy guidelines regarding background checks must be followed when inviting non-district employees to participate in virtual classroom environments.
- Staff must not provide their personal e-mail address to students currently enrolled in the District.