FILE: EFAA
EMPLOYEE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Employees may choose to create or participate in a blog, wiki, online social network or any other form of social media and/or online discussion. 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.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR EMPLOYEE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
The DeSoto 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/District 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 shall be prohibited from sharing student information on 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 or known to be under the age of eighteen (18), except in accordance with School Board policy.
USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES
Employees may create social media pages (Facebook pages, wikis, blogs, twitter) for instructional purposes; however, these accounts should be held entirely separate from their personal accounts.
New policy: August 2, 2018
Ref: 20 USC 7131 (Internet Safety)
Board minutes, 8-2-18
DeSoto Parish School Board