SCHOOL COMMITTEE POLICY
PUBLISHING STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHS
AND
STUDENT SCHOOLWORK ON THE INTERNET

Policy #53

          The publishing of student photographs and/or other likenesses, and student schoolwork on the Internet is strictly limited.

Student Photographs

          Medway Public Schools prohibits publishing on the Internet, or making available for publishing on the Internet, any front-facing or otherwise clearly distinguishable photograph or other likeness of any student.  For the purposes of this policy, student photographs shall include video in any format.

          Photographs or likenesses of the backs of students, generally as part of a group activity, or suitably altered (i.e.:  blurred) individual photographs or likenesses may be published without names and only if student features are not identifiable.  Such indistinguishable photographs or likenesses may be published only with the prior written consent of the building principal or superintendent of schools, and may be published only on web sites approved by the school district.

Student Schoolwork

          Student schoolwork (including, but not limited to, graphic arts and literary works) may be published on a school district approved web site, only with the prior written consent of the parent/guardian (in the case of a minor), or with the prior written consent of the student (in the case of a student who has reached the age of majority), and only with the approval of the building principal or superintendent of schools.

          In publishing student schoolwork on the Internet, the following rules shall apply:

·         Only a student's first name and grade may be attached to the work.

·         The school district prohibits the publication or release of the student's last name, street address, e-mail address, telephone number, or any other details about the student or the student's family.

·         The building principal is responsible for screening the student schoolwork to determine appropriateness for publishing.

·         Medway Public Schools will not redistribute student schoolwork without prior written consent of the parent/guardian (in the case of a minor), or the prior written consent of the student (in the case of a student who has reached the age of majority).

Authority to Determine Appropriateness of Material Submitted for Publication

          Medway Public Schools retains the authority to determine whether or not any submission is appropriate for publication on any school district approved web site and exercises this authority through the superintendent of schools or his/her designee.

Approval of Web Sites

          The superintendent of schools shall have the sole authority to approve web sites for the district and final authority over the publishing (or manner of publishing) of any school district material on these web sites, including student photographs and/or student schoolwork; and such approved web sites shall be listed on the official school district web site:  "medway.k12.ma.us."

Note: 
Also reference Medway Public Schools Internet Acceptable Use Policy (Policy #21)

First Reading:  September 6, 2001
Adopted:  October 4, 2001