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REHOBOTH - The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School Committee has approved a new social networking policy for the district.

The policy, which has been available to the public for review and comment since June, outlines the district's expectations for staff members' use of social networks such as Facebook, Linked-In, Twitter and others.

"The school committee felt it was important to put a policy in writing to make it clear as to what is acceptable with regards to social networking. As always our top priority is the welfare of the students in this district," committee Chairwoman Susan Lorenz said.

Lorenz said it was also important in light of recent stories in the news of alleged inappropriate behavior by teachers.

Some school districts across the state have already implemented social media policies and others are in the process of drafting guidelines.

The Massachusetts Association of School Committees issued recommendations on the subject for school districts in September 2010.

The Dighton-Rehoboth policy states that the school district expects staff members "to keep the line of professional life and your personal life clearly drawn at all times."

The policy does not prevent teachers from communicating with students on social networking sites, but encourages staff members to limit that communication to educational matters only and only through school-based resources, such as school email and Web portal accounts.

Staff members are discouraged from using personal cellphones, email and text messages to communicate with students, but the district recognizes that in some cases it might be necessary, especially for notification of last-minute sports and event schedule changes, according to the policy.

Any inappropriate conduct from a staff member may result in discipline "up to and including discharge," according to the policy.

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D-R starts social networking policy