District 207 Personal Social Media Guidelines

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Refer to Board Policy 5:125 (Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct) for the policy around personal social media use.
• Staff should adhere to the high standards for Professional and Appropriate Conduct required by Board Policy 5:120 (Employee Ethics; Code of Professional Conduct and Conflict of Interest) at all times, regardless of the ever-changing social media and personal technology platforms available. This includes employees posting images or private information about themselves or others in a manner readily accessible to students and other employees that is inappropriate as defined by policies 5:20 (Workplace Harassment Prohibited); 5:100 (Staff Development Program); 5:120 (Employee Ethics; Code of Professional Conduct and Conflict of Interest) 6:235 (Access to Electronic Networks) and 7:20 (Harassment of Students Prohibited).
• Staff should not disclose confidential information, including but not limited to school student records (e.g., student work, photographs of students, names of students, or any other personally identifiable information about students) or personnel records. Employees may “repost,” “reshare” or otherwise engage in social media posts from official school/district accounts.
• Staff should NOT follow/friend/connect with a student on social media nor should staff direct message or otherwise contact students over social media.
• Staff who attend an afterschool, public event (like a basketball game) in a non-work capacity are allowed to take photos/video, post that on their personal social media account and comment in a non-disruptive way as is their First Amendment right. While the First Amendment may protect some social media activity, the protection can be lost if a staff member’s post creates material disruption in the workplace or violates a rule or policy. Staff should be aware that their social media post could lead to discipline at work as is outlined in Board policy.

OVERVIEW

All staff are expected to use appropriate professional judgment in information they share online. Board Policy 5:125 (Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct) covers all aspects of social media use by employees.

Social media posts should not interfere with or disrupt the educational or working environment, or the delivery of education or educational support services. It is important to remember that even if you intend your social media activity to be purely personal, the content and context of your speech and other factors may bring your activity within Board Policy and the guidelines listed above. Staff should be mindful that the District educates students from an incredibly diverse background, including culturally and politically. Statements that may not be offensive to some may be offensive to others, so the exercise of good professional judgement should occur whenever posting on social media. 

Discretion, professional judgment and common sense should prevail in decisions about what to post on social media in all circumstances. Board Policy 5:120 (Professional and Appropriate Conduct) provides additional information related to the high standards District 207 has around employee behavior. 

Staff members engaging in any social media activity agree to abide by all applicable policies and procedures regarding social media use. 

Staff should inform their immediate supervisor if a student initiates contact with them via any form of personal technology or social media.

Staff should not disclose confidential information, including but not limited to school student records (e.g., student work, photographs of students, names of students, or any other personally identifiable information about students) or personnel records.

Sharing of inappropriate social media can have an impact on you as a staff member, including discipline and even termination.