Subcommittee refers stronger social‑networking policy to full committee to limit staff-student online contact

The Fall River City Policy Subcommittee voted Jan. 30 to refer a revised social‑networking policy to the full school committee after administration said the current policy (approved June 2023) functions more like an advisory than an enforceable standard.

Administration described the draft as seeking clearer prohibitions on staff‑student online interactions — for example, discouraging or prohibiting staff from friending or following current students on personal accounts and discouraging posting of student photos on personal social media. One member asked whether the policy would cover personal posts made while staff were traveling overseas; participants agreed that social media posts that “compromise or harm students” would fall under the policy’s prohibitions.

The draft policy pulls from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) template with Fort River Public Schools‑specific verbiage beneath. Committee members suggested moving the MASC reference to the end and cleaning up placement of local language for clarity.

A motion to refer the revised social‑networking policy to the full committee carried by voice vote; the full committee will receive the draft for review and possible placement on a consent or regular agenda.