St. Paul School District proposes social media policy

Action comes after two employees were put on leave for Facebook posts.

June 17, 2016 at 4:57AM

Months after a teacher and a special projects coordinator were put on leave and investigated for controversial Facebook posts, the St. Paul School District is making clear its expectations of employees when it comes to social media.

A policy proposal being presented at a school board meeting Tuesday advises employees to be respectful and professional with their online postings "whether for professional or personal use."

Obscene, profane or vulgar language is off limits when referring to the district and its schools, students, employees, communities, programs and activities, under the proposed policy, which will receive its first reading Tuesday in anticipation of final action in August.

Earlier this week, the proposal was discussed briefly at a committee meeting without any mention of actual cases that may have inspired it.

As for potential penalties, the proposal states: "Employees who violate provisions of this policy are subject to consequences, including termination."

about the writer

about the writer

Anthony Lonetree

Reporter

Anthony Lonetree has been covering St. Paul Public Schools and general K-12 issues for the Star Tribune since 2012-13. He began work in the paper's St. Paul bureau in 1987 and was the City Hall reporter for five years before moving to various education, public safety and suburban beats.

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