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11140 - Social Media

The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) recognizes the importance of social media as an effective communication method to inform the public about issues impacting public education and services provided by the County Superintendent of Schools. SBCSS uses social media to more effectively communicate with students, parents/guardians, staff and community members, and supports the use of social media platforms to help shape conversations, build community collaborations, promote learning and professional development and create awareness. County Schools is committed to supporting responsible use of the Internet and social media as a tool for sharing of information and resources, and building knowledge.

For the purpose of this policy, social media is defined as web-based or mobile forms of electronic communication through which users create online spaces for sharing information, ideas and content. All official SBCSS-related communication through social media platforms shall comply with established SBCSS Policies and Procedures for Social Media and be in accordance with SBCSS Electronic Network and Internet Use Policy 4012.1.

Official SBCSS social media platforms shall be used only for their stated purposes and in a manner consistent with this policy, and the mission and goals of SBCSS. In using social media, the Superintendent does not intend to create a limited public forum or otherwise guarantee an individual's right to free speech.

Authorization and Administration of Official SBCSS Social Media Platforms

The Superintendent or designee shall authorize the development of any official SBCSS social media platform and shall establish procedures and content guidelines for the administration and use of authorized SBCSS social media to ensure appropriate and responsible use in compliance with SBCSS policies and procedures, and all federal and state laws and regulations.
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the purpose of the official social media platforms is clearly communicated to users. Each site shall contain a statement that specifies the site's purposes along with a statement that users are expected to use the site only for those purposes, and are personally responsible for the content of their posts.

Privacy

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that official SBCSS social media content and postings protect the privacy rights of students, parents/guardians, staff, board members, and other individuals.

SBCSS social media and networking sites and other online platforms shall not be used by employees to transmit confidential information about students, employees or SBCSS office operations.

The Superintendent or designees shall ensure that copyright laws are not violated in the use of material on official SBCSS social media platforms.

Appropriate Use of Social Media

All official SBCSS-related communication through social media platforms should always be conducted in accordance with SBCSS policies and procedures. Official SBCSS social media platforms may not contain content that is obscene, libelous or discriminatory. Staff or students who post prohibited content shall be subject to discipline in accordance with SBCSS policies and procedures.

Users of official SBCSS social media platforms should be aware of the public nature and accessibility of social media and that information posted may be considered a public record subjectto disclosure under the Public Records Act and federal disclosure laws.

County Schools’ social media site articles and comments containing any of the following forms of content shall not be permitted:

  1. Comments in support of or opposition to political campaigns or ballot measures;
  2. Profane language or content;
  3. Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation;
  4. Sexual content or links to sexual content;
  5. Solicitations of commerce;
  6. Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity;
  7. Information that may compromise the safety or security of SBCSS employees or students, the public or public systems; or
  8. Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party.

These guidelines must be displayed to users or made available by hyperlink. Any content removed based on these guidelines must be retained, including the time, date and identity of the poster when available.

SBCSS reserves the right to restrict or remove any content that is deemed in violation of this social media policy or any applicable law.

Legal References:

cf. 5145.2 - Freedom of Speech/Expression
cf. 5131 - Conduct
cf. 4040 - Employee Use of Technology
cf. 4119.21/4219.21/4319.21 - Professional Standards
cf. 4218 - Dismissal/Suspension/Disciplinary Action
cf. 1340 - Access to District Records
cf. 9012 - Board Member Electronic Communications
cf. 4119.23/4219.23/4319.23 - Unauthorized Release of Confidential/Privileged Information
cf. 5022 - Student and Family Privacy Rights

EDUCATION CODE
48907 Exercise of free expression; rules and regulations

GOVERNMENT CODE
6250-6270 Public Records Act
6254.21 Publishing addresses and phone numbers of officials

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 17
101-1101 Federal copyright law

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
1232 Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 29
794 Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; accessibility to federal web sites

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 34
99.1-99.67 Family Educational Rights and Privacy

Approved: March 27, 2012

William F. Roberts IV

Assistant Superintendent

For additional information, please call 909.386.9572.

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760 East Brier Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408