WALHALLA — Facebook and MySpace have become popular Web sites among both youths and adults. With that in mind, the School District of Oconee County is seeking to ensure its employees exercise caution when using these communication tools.

Earlier this week, the Oconee County School Board of Trustees approved first reading that adds social networking regulations to its staff conduct policy, which expects staff to set a good example for students in conduct, dress and interpersonal relationships, prohibits immoral or criminal conduct or attempting to induce students to commit such acts, prohibits profanity while on duty and in the midst of students as well as the use of tobacco or intoxicating beverages in any form.

The policy also prohibits employees from being involved in drug abuse or drug trafficking.

But the policy on social networking sites stipulates that the personal life of an employee, “including the employee’s personal use of non-district issued electronic equipment outside of working hours” (such as social networking sites and personal portrayal on the Internet) will be the concern of and warrant the attention of the board “if it impairs the employee’s ability to effectively perform his or her job responsibilities or violates local, state or federal law or contractual agreements.”

“It’s not that I go checking everyone’s MySpace Web site — I don’t have time for that,” said Earnestine Williams, assistant superintendent for human resources for the school district. “But I am contacted by people in the community or law enforcement.”

Williams urges teachers to “be careful what you’re posting,” adding that what they place on those sites has an impact on them as teachers and “the role models they are supposed to be.”

The policy was also revised to discipline any employee, not simply teachers, by placing them on administrative leave with pay pending an investigation and possible recommendation for termination, consistent with district policy and state law.

Second and final reading on the policy will take place at the board’s Nov. 10 meeting.

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