DISTRICT: SOCIAL MEDIA POLICIES
The Board of Education authorizes staff members and students to create web content, apps and web services (see Bylaw 0100 Definitions) that will be hosted by the Board on its servers or District-affiliated servers and published on the internet.
The web content, services and apps must comply with State and Federal law (e.g., copyright laws, Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)), and reflect the professional image/brand of the District, its employees and students. Web content, services and apps must be consistent with the Board’s Mission Statement and staff created web content, services and apps are subject to prior review and approval of the Superintendent before being published on the Internet and/or utilized with students. The creation of web content, services and apps by students must be done under the supervision of a professional staff member.
The purpose of web content services and apps hosted by the Board on its servers or District-affiliated servers is to educate, inform, and communicate. The following criteria shall be used to guide the development of such web content services and apps:
The information contained on the Board's web site should reflect and support the Board's Mission Statement, Educational Philosophy, and the School Improvement Process.
When the content includes a photograph or information relating to a student, the Board will abide by the provisions of Policy 8330 Student Records.
All links included on the Board’s website(s) or web services and apps must also meet the above criteria and comply with State and Federal law (e.g. copyright laws, CIPA Section 504, ADA, and COPPA. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the District from linking the Board’s website(s) to 1) recognized news/media outlets (e.g. local newspapers’ web sites, local television stations’ web sites) or 2) to websites services and/or apps that are developed and hosted by outside commercial vendors pursuant to a contract with the Board. The Board recognizes that such third party websites may contain age-appropriate advertisements that are consistent with the requirements of Policy 9700.01, AG 9700B, and State and Federal law.
Under no Circumstances are District created web content services or apps to be used for commercial purposes, advertising, political lobbying or to provide financial gains for any individual. Included in this prohibition is the fact, no web content contained on the District’s web site may: (1) include statements or other items that support or oppose a candidate for public office, the investigation, prosecution or recall of a public official, or passage of a tax levy or bond issue; (2) link to a web site of another organization if the other web site includes such a message; or (3) communicate information that supports or opposes any labor organization or any action by, on behalf of, or against any labor organization.
Web content service and apps should reflect an understanding that both internal and external audiences will be viewing the information.
School website(s) services and apps must be located on Board owned or District-affiliated servers.
The Superintendent shall prepare administrative guidelines defining the rules and standards applicable to the use of the Board’s website and the creation of web content, service and apps by staff and students.
The Board retains all proprietary rights related to the design of web content services and apps that are hosted on Board owned or District-affiliated servers absent written agreement to the contrary.
Students who want their class work to be displayed on the Board’s website must have written parent permission and expressly license its display without cost to the Board.
Prior written parental permission is necessary for a student to be identified by name on the Board’s website.
Instructional Use of Web Services and Apps
The Board authorizes the use of web services and/or apps to supplement and enhance learning opportunities for students either in the classroom or for extended learning outside the classroom.
A teacher who elects to supplement and enhance student learning through the use of web services and/or apps is responsible for verifying to the Superintendent and/or Designee that the web service or app has a FERPA compliant privacy policy and it complies with all requirements of the COPPA and CIPA.
The Board further requires the use of a Board issued email address in the login process.
R.C. 9.03 O.A.G. Opinion No. 200201
Adopted 3/9/00 Revised 10/10/01 Revised 9/11/03 Revised 10/8/09 Revised 1/8/15 Revised 1/12/17
© Neola 2016