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Policy BEB

Board Member Use Of Social Media

The Board recognizes that many, if not most, of its members are active users of social media, including  but not limited to, online platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, and other digital media such as blogs  and personal websites. The Board understands that while social media can be a positive tool for  supporting schools and encouraging community engagement, Board members need to be aware of the  legal and ethical considerations that arise when they post, “message,” or otherwise interact with others  on social media platforms. 

It is not the intent of this policy to interfere with or restrict a Board members’ freedom of speech, but to  set standards for social media conduct that are consistent with law and Board policy, including the  Board’s Code of Ethics. 

  1. Board members shall comply with the following provisions: 

  • Board members shall not post on social media or engage in online discussions as a substitute for  deliberations at Board meetings. Board members should be aware that social media activity can be  perceived as a meeting if a sufficient number (a quorum) of Board members are involved on the  site to influence or determine the course of action that will be taken by the Board, even if other  people are posting to the site as well. 

  • Board members should be aware that any posting that pertains to school unit matters may create a  “record” that is subject to laws and regulations pertaining to the retention and disposition of local  government records, and to discovery in legal proceedings involving the Board or the school unit. 

  • Board members shall avoid disclosing confidential or personally identifiable information about  students (including images), school unit employees, or Board matters or discussions that have  taken place in executive sessions. Board members shall comply with the same standards as school  employees with regard to confidential information. 

Board members should adhere to the following ethical guidelines when using social media in their  role as public officials: 

  1. A Board member should: 

  • Recognize that he/she has no authority to speak on behalf of the Board unless specifically  designated to do so, and make it clear that he/she is speaking in his/her individual capacity; 

  • Feel free to invite the public to upcoming school district events, share information about public  hearings on bills that affect the schools, and share links to public information about the district  (e.g. the proposed budget), and the like, but be clear that he/she is doing so as an individual and  not in any official capacity; 

  • Conduct himself/herself on social media in a manner that reflects well on the Board and on the  school unit, and with the decorum expected of an elected official; 

  • Avoid posting in anger, even when provoked; 

  • Refrain from harassing, defaming, or disparaging fellow Board members or others based on racial, religious, or other personal characteristics; 

  • Keep deliberations within meetings of the Board; 

  • Take care to avoid disclosing confidential or personally identifiable information about students  (including images), school unit employees, or Board discussions that have taken place in  executive sessions; 

  • Avoid posting information that is misleading or inaccurate or which has not been released to the  public; 

  • Not make any promise that he/she will vote in a particular way; 

  • Avoid posting content that indicates he/she has reached an opinion on a pending matter; 

  • Direct persons presenting concerns or complaints through social media to follow the Board’s  policy pertaining to public concerns and complaints; 

  • When summarizing discussion or action that took place at Board meetings, share only information  from open meetings and make it clear that the posting is not an official record of the meeting. A  Board member should never disclose discussions that have occurred in executive session. 

  • Retain electronic records, including the Board member’s own posts and content others post to the  Board member’s account when required to do so by law, regulations, or legal process.

  • Comply with the school unit’s acceptable use rules, as applicable to school unit employees, when  using school-unit owned devices or technology resources, or when accessing the Internet through  school unit’s network using a personal device. 


Legal reference: 1 MRSA § 401 et seq. 

20-A MRSA § 6001-6002 

20 USC § 1232g 


Cross Reference: BBAA‒Board Member Authority and Responsibilities  

BCA‒Board Member Code of Ethics 

BEC‒Executive Sessions 

GBJ‒Personnel Records and Files 

JRA‒Student Education Records and Information 

KE‒Public Concerns and Complaints


Adopted: 11/13/19

*Please excuse any formatting errors.