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Series 9021
Bylaws
BOARD USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
FIRST READING - 4/20/22
The Colchester Board of Education (the “Board”) welcomes opportunities to
share information and updates regarding the Board and its schools with members of the
community. The Board recognizes that members of the community access information
in a variety of ways, and that no single form of communication can effectively reach all
those community members who may wish to receive information and updates about the
Board and its schools.
In an effort to reach more members of the community, the Board seeks to
diversify its methods of communication by introducing a social media platforms for
communications by and about the Board and its schools (the “Social Media
Platform(s)”). The Board hereby establishes the following rules and guiding principles
regarding the Social Media Platforms.
1. Management. The Board shall charge the Communications Committee
[Options: establish a Communications Committee which] or [designate a
Board member (the “Designee”) who] shall be charged with implementing and
managing the any Social Media Platforms that represent the Board in a manner
consistent with this policy and all applicable laws and rules, including, but not
limited to, the Freedom of Information Act. To that end, the Communications
Committee [Communications Committee/Designee] shall take the following
steps, among any others determined to be necessary and/or appropriate:
a. Identify and develop a Social Media Platforms.
b. Establish a process for developing and approving content for the all
Social Media Platforms.
c. Ensure any public comment permitted on or through the Social Media
Platforms is permitted in a manner consistent with this policy.
d. Avoid discrimination by taking steps including, but not limited to,
helping to make the Social Media Platforms accessible to individuals
with disabilities.
e. Consult with legal counsel, as appropriate, to ensure compliance with all
applicable laws and rules regarding Social Media Platform content and
accessibility.
f. Seek feedback from and/or approval of the Board regarding any such
matters concerning the Social Media Platforms (including, but not
limited to, the matters above) as the Chairperson may request, or as such
the Communications Committee Communications Committee/Designee
may deem appropriate.
Compliance with the provisions above shall be deemed to constitute compliance
with Board Bylaw 9020, Public Statements, notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary in Board Bylaw 9020.
2. Content. The purpose of the any Social Media Platforms administered by the
Communications Committee is to share information and updates regarding the
Board and its schools with members of the community. As such, the following
categories of content are examples of those that generally are appropriate for
inclusion in the Social Media Platforms:
a. Board meeting agendas, minutes, reports, videos, and any other material
reviewed, discussed, and/or presented during a Board and/or Board
committee meeting.
b. Communications previously shared with the school community by the
Board, administration, and/or staff.
c. Summaries of public meetings prepared and approved by the Board, a
committee of the Board, or a Board designee (e.g., a member of the
administration).
d. Summaries of school-related activities, events, and/or accomplishments
prepared and approved by the Board, a committee of the Board, or a
Board designee (e.g., a member of the administration).
The following categories of content are examples of those that generally are not
appropriate for inclusion in the a Social Media Platform:
a. Individual Board members opinions.
b. Content intended to convince or persuade (except for material reviewed,
discussed, and/or presented during a Board meeting).
c. Content that introduces new concepts or ideas not previously reviewed,
discussed, and/or presented during a Board and/or Board committee
meeting or by the administration.
d. Content that violates any applicable laws or rules, including, but not
limited to, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, state elections
laws regarding expenditure of public funds during referenda,
non-discrimination laws, and collective bargaining rules.
The Board recognizes that there may be exceptions to the examples above in
certain circumstances, and will consider content for the Social Media Platforms
on a case-by-case basis consistent with the principles set forth in this policy.
3. Citizens’ Comments.
[The Board may select either option below.]
[Option 1 – No Public Comment Permitted.]
Given that the purpose of the Social Media Platform is to reach more members
of the community with information and updates about the Board and its schools,
provision for citizens’ comments on or through the Social Media Platform is
unnecessary. In accordance with Board Bylaw 9325, citizens may be permitted
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to address the Board concerning any subject that lies within its jurisdiction
during the portion of any Board meetings so designated for such purpose.
[Option 2 – Public Comment Permitted.]
The Board may permit any individual or group to post comments and/or respond
to content on or through the Social Media Platform. Citizens’ comments and
responses shall be subject to the following guidelines:
a. All citizens who comment must identify themselves by name and
address.
b. The Board will not respond to comments made on or through the a Social
Media Platform, with the exception that the Chairperson only may
respond if, in the discretion of the Chairperson, such comments require
an immediate response.
c. The Board may not limit the subject of a citizen’s comments, except that
formal charges or formal complaints must be initiated in writing only in
accordance with Policy 1312, General Complaint Procedures.
Reasonable standards for decorum are expected.
d. No inappropriate or disrespectful comments or personal attacks shall be
permitted on or through the a Social Media Platform. Persistence in
such conduct shall be grounds for summary termination, by the
Chairperson Communications Committee, of that person’s privilege of
posting comments on or through the a Social Media Platform.
e. No solicitation of goods or services shall be permitted on or through a
Social Media Platform administered by Communications Committee.
The Communications Committee [Communications Committee/Designee] may
remove comments or content not in compliance with these guidelines, provided
any such removal complies with the requirements of the First Amendment of the
United States Constitution.
This policy must be either posted on any Social Media Platform administered by
the Communications Committee or linked to on said platform.
Legal References:
Connecticut General Statutes:
1-200 Definitions
1-225 Meetings of government agencies to be public. Recording of votes.
Schedule and agenda of certain meetings to be filed and posted on
web sites. Notice of special meetings. Executive sessions.
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Federal Law:
U.S. Constitution Amendment, 1st
City of Madison v. Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission, 429 U.S. 167
(1976)
Felts v. Reed, 504 F. Supp. 3d 978, 984 (E.D. Mo. 2020)
ADOPTED:______________
REVISED:_______________
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