Simple Steps to Protect Yourself and Your District on Social Sites
By Heath HendrenIn 2025 it is well acknowledged that social media is a powerful tool that is here to stay: 73% of the American population use some form of social media. It’s also safe to say that when used incorrectly and leveraged for improper reasons, it can result in damaging outcomes: 64% of Americans think social media has a negative impact on the country.
For school board members, social media provides an easy, efficient platform to communicate with your community, constituents, and others. The advantages of being able to reach out to parents, and even students, at a moment’s notice are hard to overstate. Having platforms where your district can share successes and celebrate students is a great forum to showcase your schools. But as with all media communications, it is important to have guidelines and understand the laws governing privacy and transparency as a member of a board of education.
Remember, as a school board member you took an official oath of office as required by state law. That oath states, “I shall encourage and respect the free expression of opinion by my fellow board members and others who seek a hearing before the board, while respecting the privacy of students and employees.”
In your role as publicly elected official, you need your constituents to openly communicate honest opinions and various viewpoints of what is happening in your district. From the community’s perspective, they need board members to be able to explain and talk freely about issues taking place at the district level.
The key ingredient to keep these conversations professional and on topic is respect.
Whether on Facebook, X, or Instagram, or even in conversations before or after a school board meeting, respect is the best platform to build trust with the people you represent. The words and images that you use on social sites are a reflection of your role as a representative of the district. Think about your district leadership team and have honest conversations with your fellow board members about using social media. Familiarize yourself with your district’s board policies and protocols regarding communications and be upfront with your fellow board members about your social media use in order to avoid surprises.
Establishing a credible online presence can be of great benefit to your district. The quality of the content that you post can make you a valuable and credible online resource for the community.
This also comes with great responsibility. First and foremost, be aware of confidentiality laws. The district, and you as a board member, have an obligation to safeguard student and employee privacy. This obligation does not end when you log-in to a social site. The Open Meetings Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act all apply to your social presence. Social media platforms are not the place to engage in decision-making or deliberation with fellow board members; in fact, this could result in a violation.
Simple steps such as proofreading and fact-checking should be regular practice before hitting publish. But also remember that outside factors can impact your credibility; what you share and from whom you share it can impact the perception to your constituents.
Finding content to post should rarely be an issue. There is plenty of positive news coming from your districts that is available to share and most provides great opportunities to add your own personal touch. When in doubt, steer away from sharing intentionally controversial posts that could likely agitate a percentage of your followers.
When looking for content, one of the first places to check is your district resources. The district website or newsletters have readily available information that your community members should be notified of. School events offer an easy opportunity to reach out to local residents while promoting a district activity. Asking for feedback on a proposal or upcoming district project is an ideal way to encourage engagement. Highlighting a new facility or renovation project provides a great visual of progress happening in your district. Showing gratitude or honoring a school employee for their work is always a favorite on social platforms.
If you are unsure whether to hit publish on a particular post, caution is always the safest route. Ask yourself, “Would I be comfortable seeing this attributed to me on my local news program or front page of my local paper?” If the answer is “no,” then it is best to delete not publish and move on.
Using the Rotary Four-Way Test is a simple method to ensure your social message meets its intended purpose.
- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
While social media can present some challenges, it also provides a space for great communication opportunities if used respectfully and responsibly.
Heath Hendren is Director of Editorial Services on the Communications & Production Services team at the Illinois Association of School Boards.