HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 10-16 WA Electronic Communications and Faculty Responsibilities WESTLAKE ACADEMY
RESOLUTION 10-16
A RESOLUTION OF THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
APPROVING AND ADOPTING A POLICY REGARDING ELECTRONIC
COMMUNICATIONS AND FACULTY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR WESTLAKE
ACADEMY.
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees desires to implement guidelines providing for the use
of electronic communications between all stakeholders of Westlake Academy; and,
WHEREAS, the need exists to support the use of effective communication while
working within the legal boundaries and privacy concerns when discussing issues surrounding
students and faculty, and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees finds that the passage of this Resolution is in the best
interest of the citizens of Westlake as well as the students, their parents, and the faculty of
Westlake Academy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
WESTLAKE ACADEMY:
SECTION 1: THAT, all matters stated in the recitals hereinabove are found to be true
and correct and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety.
SECTION 2: THAT, the Board of Trustees for Westlake Academy, hereby approves the
policy, Electronic Communication and Faculty Responsibilities, attached to this Resolution as
Exhibit "A".
SECTION 3: IF, any portion of this Resolution shall, for any reason, be declared invalid
by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions
hereof and the Board hereby determines that it would have adopted this Resolution without the
invalid provision.
SECTION 4: THAT, this Resolution shall become effective from and after its date of
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS THE 16th DAY OF AUGUST, 2010.
Laur Wheat, President
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ATTEST:
Kell Edw s, Board Secretary Thomas E,,Brff r, uperintendent
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
t fX I
T--y-, School Attorney
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TOWN OF WESTLAKE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES POLICY
Policy No. 10-16:
Date Board Adopted: August 16, 2010
Date Board Amended: NIA
Effective Date: August 16, 2010
Policy Name: Electronic Communications and Faculty Responsibilities
Policy Category: Parent, Student and Faculty Relations and Expectations
Policy Goal: Establishing clear guidelines for the use of electronic communication
between Westlake faculty/staff and parents, between Board members and parents, as
well as between Academy faculty/staff members and their students.
Policy Description:
Effective communication is an essential component of any successful organization, and
the Board wishes to encourage this type of communication among all Academy
stakeholder groups and constituents. To that end, it is recognized that electronic
communication is frequently used to achieve communication between parties on a
timely basis. It is important to identify when electronic communication is appropriate,
when it is not, and how to best utilize this method of communication for maximum
effectiveness in the school setting.
Definitions
For the purposes of this policy, the term "electronic communication(s)" shall be defined
as:
a. Email
b. Text messaging
c. Instant Messaging
d. Social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter
Electronic Communication shall be used for short and precise exchanges to:
a) plan or schedule meetings between a parent and teacher or between facultylstaff
members
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b) answer a brief factual/logistical question about a student's homework assignment
or scheduling of a test, quiz, or project, (i.e. when tests, quizzes, or projects will
be given or when they are due)
c) announce trip arrangements and logistics
Electronic Communication on these topics shall be timely and concise. As such,
inquiries sent via electronic communication shall be answered/returned by faculty/staff
within twenty-four (24) hours or less of their receipt from a parent or student (weekends
excepted).
Electronic Communication shall not be used for substantive discussions and
conversations. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
a) discussions about a student's (or students') behavior or conduct, either in or
outside of the classroom, on or off campus
b) discussions regarding a student's (or students') academic performance or any
aspect of student life protected as confidential under State and/or Federal law
(i.e., special education needs, learning disabilities, discipline imposed, etc)
c) discussions regarding teaching methods, subject content, policy or administrative
decisions, or discipline measures/decisions
All communication on topics such as these shall occur in face-to-face meetings or
telephone conversations, as appropriate. Such meetings and/or telephone
conversations shall be set and/or occur in a timely fashion.
Faculty/staff members are prohibited from using social media, personal email, or
third-party websites to communicate with students or parents about any
Academy-related matters.
Resolution 10-16
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