March 19, 2020 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

The Month of March is Connecticut Board of Education Appreciation Month.  We would like to take this opportunity to say "thank you" to our hardworking and dedicated board members.  We thank you for the time and effort you devote to board business.

1. Regardless of where you respond personal email, social media and/or instant messages and/or texts the information can subject to and FOI request if it is considered business of the BOE.  
2. The second major issue is ensuring you are not conducting an illegal meeting.  As discussed, if you reply to all on an email, text or electronic device then it would be an illegal meeting.  The same is true with a social media post.   If five members replied to a post, it could be construed in a similar manner.
3. Our attorney indicated that issues with BOE members on social media often are related to violation of confidentiality, FERPA and or other BOE Bylaws which designate the Board Chair as the spokesperson for the BOE.  So, if a BOE member is being asked a question on social media regarding BOE business, then can it be construed as "speaking for the board".

Attorney Santiago recommended that there not be a separate policy, but be included as part of the current bylaw 9327, electronic records, with a separate section for etiquette with social media.   She is recommending the following wording from samples provided.  Deletions are notated by cross outs.  Additions are underlined.  

Social Media Guidelines for Board Members

The following guidelines are for Board members to consider when using social media in their role as public officials. In using social media to communicate about school district activities, a Board member shall:

1. Clarify that the communication is as an individual member of the Board and not in the role of an official District spokesperson. Remember that Board members have no individual authority to take action, but rather may only act as a Board, at a legally noticed Board meeting.

2. Avoid deliberating discussing school district business with a quorum of the Board or a quorum of a committee of the Board.

3. Direct complaints or concerns presented online from other individuals to the appropriate administrator.

4. Avoid posting content that indicates the reaching of an opinion on pending matters.

5. Ask for community input through appropriate channels, but will do not allow the social network site to direct decisions of the Board as a Board member.

6. Post only content that the District has already released to the public.

7. Clarify, when attempting to restate what happened at a previous Board meeting, that the posting on the social media site is not an official record of such meeting. Share information only from the open portions of the meeting.

8. Conduct himself/herself online in a manner that reflects well on the District; avoid posting information that has not been verified an and made public by the District; and never post anonymously about school business.

9. Report immediately harassing or defamatory communications to the Superintendent if they involve school officials, staff, students or District business.

10. Retain electronic records, including the Board member’s own posts and content others post to the Board members account, when required to do so by the District’s retention policy.

11. Report immediately to the District any potential security breaches if the Board member loses control or possession of a District-issued or personal electronic device on which confidential District records could be accessed.

12. Comply with the District’s acceptable use policy when using District-issued devices or technology resources, including District Internet access on a personal device.