As of July 1, 2024, House Bill 3958 requires school personnel engaging in electronic or digital communication with an individual student to include the student’s parent or guardian in the electronic or digital communication unless the communication is on a school-approved platform and related to school and academics.

Specifics to note:

• Electronic or digital communication includes but is not limited to, emails, text messages, direct messages, social media messages, app messages, or any other electronic or digital means. Specific District-approved platforms and applications will be communicated at a later date.

• This new law does not impact mass communication sent from the District or a school site to parents through School Messenger or Thrillshare, email, or text message.

• No teacher, coach, or other staff member should ever provide their personal cell phone number to a student.

• “Digital communication is an extension of the physical classroom. What is inappropriate in the classroom is inappropriate in digital communications” (District Regulation BN-R2).

• This law will require more communication that will include parents/guardians. Families can expect an increased use of email and text messaging. However, please do not let this lead to ignoring messages from the schools or the District, as the same methods will be used to communicate in the event of an emergency.

What this looks like: