Red Sea Oasis

Exeter School Board plans vote on communications rules

With the use of communications technology on the rapid rise in and out of the classroom, Exeter School District officials are considering policies that would set guidelines for its use between district employees and students.

The school board is expected to vote on the staff cellphone use and staff-student communication policies Tuesday, after tabling them during a school board meeting last week.

District spokesman Don W. Cramer said the policies will specifically target communication on the telephone, email, texting and the Internet.

More and more of us are using electronic communication devices, he said. Its much better for a policy to be in place so everyone knows the guidelines that are to be followed, and that all employees, including new employees, are aware of what is expected.

Under the staff-student communication policy – directed at professional, noninstructional and administrative employees – district employees will be prohibited from communicating with students in a manner that is unprofessional and thereby inappropriate.

That prohibits personal letters, texts and emails; phone calls unrelated to homework, class work and district-sponsored or sanctioned student activities; sending lewd or inappropriate pictures, depictions or graphics to students; discussing with or revealing to students inappropriate or confidential personal information (other than professional counseling by the school counselor); and engaging in sexualized dialogue, whether in person, by phone, via the Internet or in writing.

In addition, employees will be barred from disclosing confidential information related to the district, any individuals or organizations, or students and their families.

The policy extends into the social media world and prohibits employees from posting inappropriate information – including lewd photographs, sexually explicit messages or use of illegal substances – on Facebook, Myspace, YouTube and similar sites. Under the staff cellphone use policy, employees will be prohibited from using cellphones in a manner that interrupts or disrupts their work performance during work hours.

When supervising students, teachers will be allowed to use a cellphone for classroom related instruction or activities, if there is an emergency or if theyre received specific permission.

The use of camera phones for personal reasons during school hours will be prohibited.

And bus drivers will be not be permitted to talk on the phone while driving on school business, or in their off hours if using a district-issued phone.

These policies are really our attempt to sort of keep up with technology, said Dr. Beverly A. Martin, superintendent. As technology and its use has grown, whether it be cellphones or other mobile devices or whatever the case may be, weve found that people are continuing to find new ways to use them to be more efficient. But we also have to put in some cautions and make it official through policies.

Contact Becca Y. Gregg: 610-371-5032 or bgregg@readingeagle.com.