New policy on how teachers and students communicate

LOGAN COUNTY, Ky. – On April 1st, Governor Andy Beshear signed a new law into order on how school staff and students can communicate.

Senate Bill 181 requires each local board of education to have an exclusive form of communication. These may through certain programs, like Google and Parent Square. Utilizing these will provide a traceable communication system.

Parents must consent to allow for any school volunteers, employees, and coaches to communicate with their child outside of school. Senate Bill 181 even requires a consent form to non-immediate and step family members. This could be in regards to babysitting, church youth groups, and other personal matters.

While there is an increased number of changes, the new policy is said to protect both students and educators.

Dr. Dan Costellow, Logan County Superintendent, believes this new law is going to “create some changes in procedures” to everyday life and norms. He expresses concern about the “difficulty of getting everyone on board.” Costellow acknowledges the importance of helping others “understand what this new state wide law” and “what it entails.” He believes it is crucial for “everyone to be in compliance.”

Some school districts have recommended or mandated district staff to ‘unfollow’ students on social media and remove students from their contact list.