The Burlington Community School District expects its employees to model responsible and appropriate conduct, both at school and away from school. Employees’ use of social media forms, including social networking websites such as Facebook, personal web pages or blogs, and electronic messaging, are subject to the normal requirements of legal and ethical behavior within the District community. Employees should be guided by applicable laws, District policies, and sound professional judgment when using social media.
District/Professional Use of Social Media
An employee using social media in his or her professional capacity as an employee of the District and/or pursuant to his or her official duties should be honest about who he or she is, and be thoughtful and respectful when submitting or posting messages. In addition, employees using social media for such purposes should adhere to the following guidelines:
- If you are participating on a social networking website, web page, and/or blog for District-related business, you may do so only with the prior approval of your supervisor.
- You must identify yourself and your position with the District. Always use your real name and never create an alias or be anonymous.
- The “bcsds.org” address attached to your name and/or email implies that you are acting on behalf of the District and, as such, you are expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner.
- Any information shared via social media regarding the business of the District, whether using personal or District equipment, may be considered a public record. All information communicated through or maintained on the District’s system is subject to being monitored or inspected at any time.
- Do not submit or post confidential information about the District, its students, alumni, or employees, including student photos. You should assume that most information about a student is protected from disclosure by both federal law (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and state law (Iowa Code Section 22.7(1)). Disclosures of confidential or protected information may result in liability for invasion of privacy or defamation.
- Keep in mind that, by their very nature, social media forms such as social networking websites and web pages or blogs are not truly private. To minimize unintended disclosure of information, you should set and maintain your social networking privacy settings at the most restrictive level.
- Internet search engines can find information years after it was originally posted. Comments can be forwarded or copied and archival systems can save information even if you delete a post or use a private message. You should assume that a message or image which is posted or communicated can never be completely deleted.
- Spell check and grammar check your content before you submit or post messages, and correct any mistakes as soon as you can. Remember that you are writing for publication, even if it is just for a social networking website. Refrain from making unsubstantiated statements and avoid careless comments, such as “research shows” unless you also provide full citations of the research.
Personal Use of Social Media
The District recognizes the prevalence of social media used for personal purposes and acknowledges that its employees have the right under the First Amendment to speak out on matters of public concern. However, the District also has the right to regulate the speech of employees when that speech in certain circumstances, such as when the personal use of social media interferes with the employee’s ability to perform his or her duties or affects the District’s ability to efficiently provide educational services. Accordingly, it is essential that employees conduct themselves in such a way that their personal use of social media does not adversely affect their position with the District. In addition, employees using social media for such purposes should adhere to the following guidelines:
- If you are participating on a social networking website, web page, and/or blog for personal use, you may identify yourself as an employee of the District. However, you must state that you are expressing your own opinion, not that of the District. You will be held fully responsible for your activities.
- If you identify yourself as a District employee, remember that your actions will reflect not only on you but on the District as well.
- Never pretend to be someone else and submit or post information concerning the District.
- Do not use the District’s school logos or mascots, photographs, or any other such graphic representations or images, or link any personal page on a social networking website or other personal web page to any District website or material.
- If you submit or post information or comments that are not related to the District, your activities may still result in professional repercussions. Such actions include, but are not limited to, posting of photographs or information which violates federal or state law and regulations and/or District policies and rules.
- Keep in mind that you do not have control of what others may submit or post on social networking websites; therefore, be aware that your conduct in your private life may affect your professional life. Be vigilant about what others post about you or on your page and, if necessary, take steps to remove comments that pose a risk to you or the District.
- It could be viewed as inappropriate for District employees to communicate with current students enrolled in the District through social media, such as through electronic messaging or any social networking website. This includes becoming “friends” on such sites or otherwise allowing students to access your site page to communicate. You should refrain from creating personal pages on social networking websites and other personal web pages or electronic messaging that permit social interaction with current students enrolled in the District.
- Employees may use professional web pages that are created through the District and used solely for school-related purposes. You should notify parents of your intention to use this media to communicate with students and the intended purpose of such communications. All ethical expectations for appropriate employee/student relationships must be followed.
- You should refrain from providing your personal contact information to student’s currently enrolled in the District. You should only provide your official District email address and/or telephone number as a way to communicate with students or parents regarding District business.
- During the work day, you should refrain from participating on any personal social media, regardless of whether such participation is through District or personal equipment.
- Employees are encouraged to post positive information about the district. Employees should exercise restraint concerning posting and agreeing or liking negative comments about the district, its employees, staff, and students.
Disciplinary Action
Employees who fail to comply with this policy or who make other inappropriate use of social media may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge. If an employee has any questions about the application of this policy, he or she should consult his or her supervisor.
- First Adoption:
- 2014-03-31
- Reviewed Dates:
- April 24, 2016/ November 11, 2018/ August 6, 2023
- Legal Reference:
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Iowa Code § 279.8 (2011).
281 I.A.C. 13.35, .26