(Garden City, KS) (westernkansasnews.com)

While the recent passage by the USD-457 Board of Education of new rules pertaining to cell phones was directed at students, the school district’s new policy regarding social media sites, like Facebook and Twitter, is designed to outline guidelines for teachers and staff.  The new policy also covers cell phone use, blogs, and texting.  The Board approved both new policies on Monday.

Guidelines for the new policy direct employees to assume all uses are public information. In order for employees to communicate with students via social sites, employees must establish a separate, independent professional page that is accessible to administration and parents as well as students.  Communication between employees and students is not allowed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. 

Violation of the new rules makes the school district employee subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.