Purpose

This policy addresses all forms of group or one-on-one electronic and digital communication (including, but not limited to, email, texting, instant messages, direct messages, social media messages, messages sent through software applications, etc.) between any Northeast Tech (NT) employee and minor students. This policy outlines the NT's expectations regarding school personnel’s direct digital and electronic communication with minor students by requiring any such direct communication with minor students to include the minor student’s parent or guardian.

School Personnel

School personnel include teachers, administrators, school bus drivers, support personnel, or any other persons employed full-time or part-time by Northeast Tech.

Policy

Pursuant to Oklahoma law, NT personnel engaging in electronic or digital communication with a minor student must include the minor student's parent or guardian in the communication, unless the communication is on a school-approved platform and is related to school and academic matters. In the case of an emergency where other parties cannot be immediately included on digital or electronic communications, the minor student’s parent or guardian shall be subsequently notified of the communication as soon as possible.

Prior to the start of the school year, NT shall compile a list of approved digital platforms for communications between NT personnel and minor students. Such platforms will automatically include in the messaging parents or guardians who opt in. The list will be posted on the NT website and distributed to employees. These sanctioned platforms are the only appropriate method for NT personnel to communicate directly with minor students. Outside these platforms, NT personnel must affirmatively include a parent or guardian in the text message, email or other electronic communication. Failure to do so is a violation of the law and this policy.

Violations

NT personnel reported to be engaging in unauthorized communications with minor students through digital or electronic platforms shall be placed on administrative leave while NT investigates the incident and notifies the Board of Education. If the investigation results in a finding that no misconduct occurred, the NT personnel shall be reinstated, and the incident shall be noted in the employee’s personnel file. If the investigation finds misconduct occurred, the employee shall be disciplined according to the NT’s policy, up to and including termination of employment. Additionally, the incident shall be reported to law enforcement.

Reporting

Minor students who receive communication from school personnel in violation of this policy are encouraged to report it to a teacher, site Director or the Superintendent. NT personnel who suspect, recognize, or encounter digital or electronic communications between a minor student or NT staff member that does not include a parent or guardian, or otherwise violates this policy, must report it immediately to their supervisor, site Director or the Superintendent.

Approved by the Board of Education on 02-10-25