Central Bucks School District Takes First Step in Adopting Social Media Policy

Stung by the tempest over a teacher’s blog that went viral, the Central Bucks School Board is considering a comprehensive policy that would regulate how district employees use social media.

On Tuesday night, the board had the first reading of an amendment to its existing policy that covers Freedom of Speech in Nonschool Settings for administrators, professional staff, and classified employees. Superintendent Dr. N. Robert Laws said it was the first step in crafting a new policy covering use of social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs.

“Five years ago, we didn’t have to worry about blogging or tweeting,” said Laws. “As these social media devices continue to morph, we have to continue to respond.”

Laws acknowledged the need for a social media policy was directly related to Natalie Munroe, the of some of her students earlier this year. Munroe was suspended, went out on maternity leave, and then was .

The updated Freedom of Speech in Nonschool Settings policy includes a restriction on making disparaging remarks about students. Laws said that language was not part of the original policy “because the thinking was it wasn’t necessary. Now we know that it is.”

Laws said the social media policy is being drafted internally, with Director of Information Technology Ed Sharetta taking the lead. The district is also looking to the Pennsylvania Association of School Boards’ Policy Review Department for guidance, said Laws.

"We, along with many other school districts and industries are taking this step,” said Laws.

In other business Tuesday night:

• Parent Leslie Carson asked the board to develop a more aggressive wellness program that includes healthier menus in schools. She said she is working on a petition to the board but would “prefer to avoid the angry moms approach.”
• Before the board approved an exclusive contract with the Philadelphia Coca Cola Bottling Company to provide drinks (but not soda) in the district’s vending machines and cafeteria, and at sporting event concession stands, Carson asked them to exclude PowerAde from the list of offerings. “There’s not a nutritionist on Earth who would tell you that’s a healthy thing for kids to drink,” she said.
• Laws noted that the federal government’s aid for No Child Left Behind has dwindled from $1.1 million in 2007 to just over $700,000 this year.