teaching staff member and shall be reported to the Principal or designee by the teaching
staff member.
c.
If a teaching staff member has a student(s) as a “friend” on their personal social networking
website or other Internet-based social media website they must permanently remove them
from their list of contacts upon Board adoption of this Policy.
d.
Communication between a teaching staff member and a student through social networking
websites or other Internet-based social media websites is only permitted provided the
website has been approved by the Principal or designee and all communications or publications
using such websites are available to: every student in the class; every member of the co-curricular
activity and their parents; and the Principal or designee.
Reporting Responsibilities
In the event a student sends an improper electronic communication, as defined in this Policy, to a teaching staff member, the
teaching staff member shall report the improper communication to the Principal or designee by the next school day. The
Principal or designee will take appropriate action to have the student discontinue such improper electronic communications.
Improper electronic communications by a teaching staff member or a student may result in appropriate disciplinary action.
A teaching staff member and student may be exempt from the provisions outlined in this Policy if a teaching staff member
and student are relatives. The parent of a student and the teaching staff member requesting an exemption from the
provisions of this Policy must submit a written request to the Principal of the student’s school indicating the family
relationship between the student and the teaching staff member. The Principal will provide written approval of the request
to the teaching staff member and the student. If the Principal does not approve the request, the teaching staff member and
the student must comply with all provisions of this Policy. The Principal’s approval of a request for this exemption shall only
be for the individual teaching staff member and student included in the request and for the school year in which the request
is submitted. The provisions of this Policy shall be applicable at all times while the teaching staff member is employed in the
school district and at all times the student is enrolled in the school district, including holiday and summer breaks. A copy of
this Policy will be made available on an annual basis, to all parents, students, and school employees either electronically or in
school handbooks.
Policy 3283
N.J.S.A. 18A:36-40
Adopted: September 10, 2014
Policy 4283
Electronic Communications Between Support Staff Members and Students
In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:36-40, the Board of Education adopts this Policy to provide
guidance and direction to support staff members to prevent improper electronic communications between support staff
members and students. The Board of Education recognizes support staff members can be vulnerable in electronic
communications with students. The Board prohibits all electronic communications between a support staff member and a
student. However, based on a support staff member’s professional responsibilities electronic communications between a
support staff member and a student may be permitted with written approval of the Superintendent or designee. The
approval is only for the school year in which the approval is granted. If the Superintendent or designee approves electronic
communications between a support staff member and a student, the support staff member shall be required to comply with
all the provisions of this Policy.
The Commissioner of Education has determined inappropriate conduct may determine a school staff member unfit
to discharge the duties and functions of their position. Improper electronic communications by school staff members may be
determined to be inappropriate conduct. For the purposes of this Policy, “electronic communication” means a communication
transmitted by means of an el