Procedure – Social Media
Comment Moderation and Policy on District Social Media Accounts
The district’s use of social media is limited to promoting the mission and goals of the district. Although the district acknowledges the importance of social media as a space for community engagement and conversation, the district’s social media sites are not intended to create a public forum for the exercise of First Amendment rights. Instead, they are intended to create a government-sponsored limited forum to facilitate and support the district’s educational mission for K-12 students. Nor does the district express approval or support for the views expressed by third-parties that appear on its social media sites.
The district reserves the right to remove inappropriate comments or comments irrelevant to the topic of the specific forum posted on district-owned social media accounts. This includes user generated content that has obscene language or sexual content, that harasses, threatens or defames any person or organization, violates the legal ownership interest of another party (e.g., copyright violations), supports or opposes political candidates or ballot propositions, encourages grassroots lobbying of elected officials, promotes illegal activity, promotes commercial services or products, or is not topically related to the particular posting, or contains contents that promote, foster, or perpetuate discrimination on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity and disability. The district will not, however, remove comments based on viewpoint, so long as the ideas are presented in a respectful manner and at a time and place that are appropriate, and such expression does not materially disrupt, and may not be reasonably anticipated to disrupt the educational process. Prior to removing a post, staff members will specifically identify which portion of this procedure has been violated.
The district will post notice on its social media sites indicating the circumstances under which user-generated content will be removed. The district will also post, where feasible, notice on its social media sites alerting users that all content related to district business on the site is a public record, subject to retention and disclosure. Social media content shall be preserved in accord with the applicable retention schedule, and in a format that preserves the integrity of the original record and is easily accessible. This policy applies to third-party hosted and internal social media tools that the district chooses to use.
Repeated violations of the Meridian School District social media policy by anyone may result in individuals being banned from social media platforms run by the district. To regain access to Meridian School District social media platforms individuals must submit a formal request to the superintendent. A meeting will be scheduled to review the request.
Staff Use of Social Media
Employees and district representatives are prohibited from inappropriate online contact with students or engaging in any conduct on social networking sites that violates the law, district policy, or generally recognized professional standards. This includes prohibiting staff from “friending” and/or “following” students on social media (Policy 5253, Procedure 5253P).
Employees, students and district representatives shall not communicate or otherwise disseminate any confidential information they have access to as a result of their relationship with the district. Staff must maintain the confidentiality of student data in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
No student pictures or names may be published on any district website or social media account unless the appropriate permission has been verified according to district policy (Procedure 3231P). The district may post images and videos showing students for informational purposes under the following circumstances. When students are depicted at events open to the public (e.g., sporting events, band or choir concerts, debate competition, and graduation ceremonies), videos may be posted without obtaining a release form. Prior to posting videos showing students at events not open to the public (e.g., during class), the district will first obtain a release form signed by the parents or guardians of each student depicted (or by each adult student age 18 or older).
Violation of any of the conditions explained in the social media policy or procedure by district employees may be cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
Student Use of Social Media
If not approved by the superintendent or designee, students shall not obtain or be provided with access to a district social media account.
Students’ use of social media is subject to the conduct regulations in district policies and procedures 3220, 3240, and other applicable policies. Violation of any of the conditions explained in the social media policy by district students could be cause for disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or expulsion from school and restrictions placed on network and computer access privileges.
Registration of District Social Media Accounts
Staff may request to set up social media accounts for schools or programs by submitting Form 4007F to the Department of Public Relations. Staff may not register or post to such accounts before receiving approval. The following social media accounts are approved for district use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Public Records Act and Records Retention
Any content posted to district-created or -owned websites, including social media sites, may be subject to public disclosure under the Washington Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW. The district will post, where feasible, notice on its social media sites alerting users that all content related to district business on the site is a public record, and is therefore subject to applicable retention and disclosure requirements.
All official district website and social media content will be routinely monitored and appropriately archived in compliance with the applicable state retention schedule(s) and in a format that preserves the integrity of the original record and remains accessible. This requirement applies to third-party hosted and internal social media tools that district chooses to utilize.
Adoption Date: May 25, 2022
Classification: Discretionary