An SPS Social Media Taskforce On the Horizon?

In her new role as Human Capital Development Director of Stamford Public Schools, Fay Ruotolo addressed the board Tuesday evening with suggestions from the Connecticut Association of Board of Education [CABE] and neighboring school districts on how SPS should tackle the subject of social media. Ruotolo and the board agreed that input from parents, teachers and students would be critical in developing its policies.

“Social media isn’t something we can put in an envelope,” said Ruotolo. “It’s part of our fabric now. We need to be smart about how it’s used.”

Ruotolo presented the board with four suggestions from CABE, which range from banning social media altogether to using it freely. Wilton School District has also been developing a policy over the last year.

Social media in the classroom is a hot button issue both in Connecticut and around the country. This past summer, the Missouri state legislature passed a first-of-its-kind statewide bill banning school personnel from engaging with social media with students unless it is a public page, such as a public Facebook page or a blog. Educators, including those at SPS, are determining what practices can be useful for learning and which violate civil liberties, pose as a distraction, and cause concerns for student safety.

“This is a great way to bring people together with their different perspectives,” said Hamilton. “In addition to teachers, opinions from high school students would be great to have as well.”

Hamilton estimated the committee could have 15 members to contribute to the social media policy discussion.
“We should start with the end in mind,” said Assistant Secretary Geoff Alswanger. “Unlike most of our policies, this is moving so quickly. Once we finish it, it will likely be out of date. Social media is just interwoven into out we live.”

Ruotolo will return to the board at a meeting later this month to discuss research, proposed policy ideas, and the framework for a potential committee.