General Guidelines

This policy addresses employees’ use of publicly available social media networks including, but not limited to: personal websites, blogs, wikis, social media networks, online forums, virtual worlds, and any other emerging platforms. The District takes no position on employees’ decision to participate in the use of social media networks for personal use on personal time, using personal computer equipment or other devices capable of accessing the internet. However, use of these media for personal use during District time or on District equipment is prohibited.

Consult NTC’s “Network / Internet Access, Safety, and Use Policy” (Board Policy 3052), as well as the employee manual and / or parent and / or student handbooks. Be aware that all existing policies and behavior guidelines extend to school-related activities in the online environment as well as on school premises.

All electronic communication and content created, shared, or distributed by staff on behalf of the District must comply with digital accessibility best practices, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.

When using social media, remember that your posts and interactions contribute to the public perception of Northeast Tech. Content shared online may be visible to others indefinitely, even after deletion.

Employees are expected to uphold professional standards of conduct online, particularly when referencing or representing Northeast Tech. Personal social media activity should never disclose confidential information, violate student privacy, or use the Northeast Tech logo without approval.

Social Networking Websites

Some social networking websites are not accessible on NTC’s network because they have been blocked. If NTC personnel, including teachers, would like to request that a website be made accessible to use for teaching and learning, that person shall submit a written request to the IT Director for review, identifying the online tools to be used and the instructional purpose in using them.

While on NTC property, neither NTC personnel nor students may use an outside, proprietary network to access websites that are blocked on NTC’s network.

Employees of the school district should limit electronic communication with students to matters concerning the student’s education or extra-curricular activities for which the employee has assigned responsibility. Excessive messaging to a single student should be avoided. Employees who engage in school-related communications with students shall inform students of the guidelines for communicating with students. In instances where the student’s or employee’s communications are inappropriate or outside permissible school policy, such communication should be reported to the employee’s supervisor or school district administrator immediately.

Personnel shall abide by the following requirements regarding use of social networking websites, even when done in their personal time, using personal property.

1. Fraternization with students using social networking websites on the internet:

   1. Teachers, instructors, directors, supervisors, and other NTC employees may

      connect with students only on official, district-approved social media accounts

      created for instructional or program purposes, as authorized by the District.

      Employees shall not “friend,” “follow,” “message,” or otherwise connect with any

      current high school student on their personal social media accounts. The only

      exception is for an immediate family member who is enrolled at NTC. This

      prohibition remains in effect for the entire duration of a high school student’s

      enrollment at NTC, regardless of whether the student is currently assigned to the

      employee’s class, program, or supervision.

   2. All e-contacts with students shall be made through District-approved

      communication channels, consistent with HB 3958 (2024). Approved channels are

      updated and published on the Northeast Tech Website.

   3. Employees shall not create or manage independent social media pages, groups, or

      accounts for the purpose of connecting with current students or for representing,

      recruiting, or promoting NTC, its campuses, or its programs. Employees are

      responsible for the content they share on personal accounts. When referencing

      Northeast Tech, employees should ensure posts are professional, accurate, and

      respectful of student privacy and confidentiality.

   4. Inappropriate contact with students or parents via e-mail, phone, or other methods of communication is prohibited.

   5. An employee’s use of any social media network and an employee’s postings, displays, or communications on any social media network must comply with all state and federal laws and any applicable District policies.

2. Employees may not post items on social networking websites with sexual content if they are identifying themselves as an employee of NTC;

3. Employees may not post items exhibiting or advocating the use of drugs or alcohol if they are identifying themselves as an employee of NTC;

4. Employees may not post pictures, video, or audio of students unless the student’s parent (if the student is under 18) or the student (if the student is 18 or over) has provided the student’s building administrator with written permission to do so;

5. Employees shall not use obscene, profane, or vulgar language on any social media network or engage in communications or conduct that is harassing, threatening, bullying, libelous, or defamatory, neither on NTC approved social media nor on personal social media sites while identifying themselves as NTC personnel;

6. Employees must obtain express written permission from the District to post the District logo on any social media network or in order to make any endorsements on behalf of the District.

Note that when using an NTC e-mail address and / or equipment to participate in any social media or professional social networking activity, the communications are public, and employees are responsible for the content in the communication.

Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines

NTC personnel and students must respect copyright and fair use guidelines when posting material on social network sites, even those websites used and accessed for educational and classroom purposes. See www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html.

Hyperlinking to outside sources is recommended. Do not plagiarize. Give credit, where credit is due, to the sources of material. When hyperlinking to other sites and media, be sure that the hyperlinked content is appropriate and consistent with these guidelines. Be aware that photographs taken by professional photographers cannot be scanned and used on the internet without the photographer’s permission, even if they are photos purchased from the photographer.

Text and Instant Messaging

NTC personnel shall only text or instant message students via district-approved communication platforms and only regarding official NTC business pertaining to that student’s course work, student organization, etc. Staff shall not send personal messages that are not related to the business of NTC or that contain confidential information to persons not authorized to receive that information.

Use of Social Media

The Superintendent shall designate those staff persons who have management or administrator access to NTC social media, including, but not limited to the ability to remove content from NTC social media if determined to be inappropriate. Only content that is allowable on the NTC website is allowable on NTC social media pages unless otherwise authorized by the Superintendent.

Penalties

Both NTC personnel and students face the possibility of penalties, including student suspension and employee termination, for failing to abide by NTC policies when accessing and using social media.

Approved by the Board of Education on May 14, 2012

Amended October 13, 2025