BHE
LEVERETT ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
USE OF ELECTRONIC
MESSAGING BY SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
As
elected public officials, School Committee members shall exercise caution when
communicating between and among themselves via electronic messaging services
including, but not limited to, electronic mail (e-mail), text messages, social
media postings, internet web forums, and internet chat rooms.
Under
the Open Meeting Law, deliberation by a quorum of members constitutes a
meeting. Deliberation is defined as movement toward a decision including, but
not limited to, the sharing of an opinion regarding business over which the
Committee has supervision, control, or jurisdiction. A quorum may be
arrived at sequentially using electronic messaging without knowledge and intent
by the author.
School
Committee members should use electronic messaging between and among members
only for housekeeping purposes such as requesting or communicating agenda
items, meeting times, or meeting dates. Electronic messaging should not
be used to discuss Committee matters that require public discussion under the
Open Meeting Law.
Under
the Public Records Law, electronic messages between public officials may be
considered public records. Therefore, in order to ensure compliance, the
School Committee Chair, in consultation with the Superintendent of Schools,
shall annually designate a member of the central office staff who shall be
copied on all electronic mail correspondence between and among members of the
School Committee, or the district shall provide district e-mail addresses,
which are archived. These copies shall be printed and retained in the
central office in the same fashion as any other School Committee records.
School Committee members who do not have a computer or access to these messages
shall be provided copies on a timely basis.
SOURCE:
MASC July 2016
LEGAL
REF.: M.G.L.4:7; 30A:18-25, 23B; 66:10
Reviewed by Leverett Policy Committee: 10/02/17
First Reading by Leverett School Committee: 11/06/17
Second Reading, First Vote by Leverett School Committee:
12/04/17
Final Vote: 01/08/18