SBOE Social Media Policy
The State Board of Education (SBOE) uses the following policies to guide the use of social media sites in accordance with the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) Social Media Policy:
Linking
The SBOE may make available social media applications, and may publish social media content to third-party sites. These sites are not official SBOE websites and therefore, the external sites’ policies apply.
Privacy
Only public information is permitted to be posted by the SBOE or its designee on the SBOE social media websites. If communication that takes place on the SBOE social media websites involves or requires private information, communication will be redirected through other appropriate channels. Postings from the public on the SBOE social media sites become public record and may be posted on the SBOE website. This information may be subject to public information requests. For more information about public information requests, please refer to the TEA Public Information Requests Policy.
No personally identifiable information without an individual’s permission, unless captured during a public meeting, will be posted on the SBOE social media sites by SBOE or TEA personnel. The SBOE is not responsible for content posted by others to the SBOE social media sites. SBOE users that enter personal information on the SBOE social media sites do so at their own risk; the SBOE is not responsible for the public display of such private information. The SBOE may remove postings to its social media sites that contain personally identifiable information, but neither the SBOE, nor its licensors or contractors, are responsible for any damages caused by delays in such removal.
Public Information and Record Retention
Social media sites may contain communications sent to or received by state employees, and such communications are therefore public records subject to State Records Retention requirements. These retention requirements apply regardless of the form of the record (digital text, photos, audio, or video, for example).
To the extent that the third-party records retention policies are inconsistent with the Texas State Record Retention Schedule, the SBOE will put forth reasonable efforts to archive copies of social media content in order to meet state records retention obligations.
Terms of Service
The SBOE social media sites are third party sites and have terms of service and policies that are not governed by the SBOE or the State of Texas. These third-party sites are not official SBOE websites and the third party’s website terms of service and policies apply. The terms of service for the social media sites used by sboe.texas.gov can be found below:
Content of Social Media Posts
All published SBOE social media content is subject to monitoring. This content may take the form of digital text for X and Facebook, and photography images for Instagram.
User-generated posts are subject to rejection or removal when the content of a post:
- is off-subject or out of context
- contains obscenity or material that appeals to the prurient interest
- contains personal identifying information or sensitive personal information, as defined in Tex. Code Bus & Com. Sec. 521.001 et. seq.
- contains offensive terms that target protected classes
- contains personal attacks or insulting statements directed toward an individual
- is threatening, harassing or discriminatory
- incites or promotes violence or illegal activities
- contains information that reasonably could compromise public safety
- advertises or promotes a commercial product or service, or any entity or individual
- promotes, endorses, or contains disparaging language about political campaigns, candidates, or office holders
- are of a repetitive or “spamming” nature (the same comment posted multiple times)
In the above instances, the SBOE may remove content without notifying the poster.
X( formerly known as Twitter)
Accessibility: To accommodate SBOE users with disabilities, EasyChirp (outside source) is the suggested alternative access to the @TXSBOE X profile.
Record Retention: The SBOE X content will be archived and retained for the required period of time in accordance with the DIR Records Retention Schedule.
Accessibility: To accommodate SBOE users with disabilities, there are two suggested alternatives to access the SBOE Facebook page:
- The Facebook mobile site is a suggested accessible alternative to the original SBOE Facebook page.
- The SBOE generally posts the same content to Twitter and Facebook. Therefore, EasyChirp (outside source) will serve as an accessible alternative.
Record Retention: SBOE Facebook updates will be archived and retained for the required period of time in accordance with the DIR Records Retention Schedule.
Record Retention: The following SBOE Instagram photos will be archived and retained for the required period of time in accordance with the DIR Records Retention Schedule:
- Photos posted to Instagram by the SBOE
- Photos not accepted by the SBOE due to noncompliance with submission guidelines
Content: By submitting a photo to the SBOE via Instagram, you are giving the SBOE permission to use your photo on the SBOE homepage, website, mobile site, and social media platforms.
State Board of Education Official Social Media Channels
The State Board of Education also uses social media sites to communicate with constituents.
- Facebook — @TXSBOE:
The Texas State Board of Education's Facebook page shares the latest news about board activities.
- Instagram — @TXSBOE:
The Texas State Board of Education's Instagram page shared photos from board meetings and other board-related events.
- X (formerly known as Twitter) — @TXSBOE:
The Texas State Board of Education's X (formally known as Twitter) site provides updates on board activities.
SBOE Webcast
Live streamed videos of State Board of Education meetings, including committee meetings, are available. Videos of past meetings are also archived.