FILE: EFAA
EMPLOYEE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Employees may choose to create or participate in social media channels and any other form of online publishing. However, activities in or outside of work that affect employees’ job performance, the job performance of others, or the well-being of students shall constitute a proper focus of the School Board. Therefore, the same principles and guidelines that apply to the activities of employees in general, as found in the School Board’s personnel policies, shall apply to employee activities in social media channels and any other form of online publishing.
EMPLOYEE PERSONAL USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
The Rapides School Board respects the right of employees to use social media as a medium of self-expression off campus and on their personal time. As role models for the school system’s students, however, employees shall be responsible for their conduct even when they are not performing their job duties as employees of the School Board. Employees shall be held to the same professional standards in their use of social media and other electronic communications as they are for any other public conduct. Furthermore, employees remain subject to applicable state and federal laws, Rapides Parish School Board policies, and administrative regulations and procedures, even if communicating with others concerning personal and private matters. If an employee’s use of social media interferes with the employee’s effectiveness or ability to effectively perform his or her job duties, the employee shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR EMPLOYEE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
The Rapides Parish School Board trusts and expects employees to exercise personal responsibility and professionalism whenever they use social media.
Only those employees officially designated by the Superintendent may use social media to speak on behalf of the School Board, School District or schools in an official capacity.
Employees shall be responsible for making sure that their online activities do not interfere with their ability to fulfill their job requirements or their commitments to their supervisors, co-workers, students, and parents.
Employees are prohibited from sharing student information on their personal social media. Student names or photos where students are identifiable shall generally not be posted.
Employees should not use their personal social media accounts to connect with anyone who is a student in Rapides Parish, except in accordance with School Board policy.
Employees shall not use Internet postings to libel or defame the Rapides Parish School Board, individual School Board members, students or an employees.
SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS INVOLVING STUDENTS
Employees shall maintain professional relationships with students at all times in accordance with policies GAMHA, Electronic Communications Between Employees and Students and GBRA, Employee Conduct. All electronic communications with students who are currently enrolled in the school system must be school-related and within the scope of the employees’ professional responsibilities, unless otherwise authorized by this policy. School personnel communicating directly with students or commenting on student matters through use of the Internet shall abide by all laws and policies governing such activities. An employee seeking to utilize and/or establish a social media website for instructional or other school-related purposes shall obtain prior written approval from the Superintendent or his/her designee and principal and meet any applicable requirements of policies IFBGA, Internet Safety and Technology.
In short, the Rapides Parish School Board shall expect employees to use professional judgement when using social media or other electronic communications.
USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES
Employees shall not create social media pages for instructional purposes; however, employees should use district provided communication platforms.
New policy: August 4, 2020
Ref: Board minutes, 8-4-20
Rapides Parish School Board