PITTSFIELD, Mass. — While awaiting the findings of Pittsfield High School's staff investigation, district unions and administrators united to create a social media and cell phone directive.

Effective immediately, it bars staff members from connecting with students outside of their immediate family on social media and calling or messaging them from a personal phone. It will become a policy the Monday after February vacation and non-compliance will result in "progressive disciplinary action."

"It's become obvious during the travails that we're enduring here that this is not always observed and although I know that each of the presidents of the bargaining units each year begins the year in speaking to their respective employee groups warning against doing this, some people don't either pay attention or don't believe that anybody's serious about this, or they're up doing something when the when the discussion is taking place," School Committee Chair William Cameron said.

"But obviously, we have issues, at least in some quarters and at some periods, with staff members befriending, if that's the term, students on their personal media."

On Wednesday, the committee endorsed the directive and referred it to the policy subcommittee. It will be sent to staff and families.

In January, Superintendent Joseph Curtis met with the presidents of the Pittsfield Federation of School Employees, the United Educators of Pittsfield, and the Pittsfield Educational Administrators Association to come up with this.

"Often collaborative agreements take a little bit longer than we want, as we as we know, but in this topic, it did not," Curtis said.

It begins by telling PPS staff members that as educational staff and role models, they have the "profound responsibility" to uphold the highest standards in everything they do.

"Our actions, words, and attitudes set the example for our students, shaping their understanding of integrity, perseverance, and respect by striving for excellence in our roles, we not only teach important academic lessons but also instill the values that will guide our students in becoming thoughtful, responsible and compassionate individuals," it reads.

"This privilege and responsibility reminds us daily of the impact we have on the next generation."

Prohibiting staff from friending students on social media aims to maintain professional boundaries and ensure a safe and respectful environment for everyone in the schools. It also notes that while staff members cannot contact students on personal phones, they may have pre-existing relationships with students that are separate from their professional roles with PPS.

In the case of family connections, mentorship roles, participation in community organizations, community coaching outside of PPS, or other personal interactions unrelated to employment with the district, the district understands that phone numbers of minors may be on a staff member's phone and may be used.

The directive stresses that it is essential for staff members to maintain clear boundaries between their personal relationships and their professional responsibilities and "In all interactions, staff should ensure that their conduct aligns with the ethical and professional standards expected by the Pittsfield Public Schools."

"By adhering to this guideline, we prioritize the privacy and well-being of our students while fostering appropriate and professional interactions. We encourage staff to use approved communication channels for all school-related matters to ensure clear, respectful, and boundary-appropriate communication," it concludes.

"This directive reinforces our commitment to creating a supportive and professional educational environment for every student. If any staff member is found not to be in compliance with this directive, progressive disciplinary action will occur."

Cameron thanked the unions' leadership for recognizing the seriousness of problems that can arise when these rules are not adhered to "and for being willing to work so promptly with us to help rectify this."

Last week, Executive Director of Enough Abuse Jetta Bernier pitched the nonprofit's services to the city.

During the presentation, Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey expressed concern about school employees speaking to students on social media.

"I've spoken to some educators about it who work in our school system, I've spoken to some students, and it seems like students are friends with some of the educators in our school system and I don't know if the policy we currently have isn't doing enough to stop that," he said.

"I have some of my former teachers who I'm friends with on social media but we became friends probably 10 years after I graduated and we have professional relationships now. So that's just one thing that's kind of been in the back of my mind. It keeps coming up when we have these discussions and it's something that I would really like you to focus on."

Enough Abuse has proposed codes of conduct for students and employees and Bernier said the electronic communication section is "pretty extensive."

"We're concerned that in so many cases where there's a sexual relation going on, that the cell phones are the instrument of the exploitation," she said.

"Online cell phones, this is where a lot of the sexual misconduct takes place. Sending inappropriate messages that are provocative, sending photographs, asking for photographs from the student."

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