Ushering in an exciting new era, the Howard Count Board of Education unanimously voted to approve the revisions to a technology policy that now encourages the use of social media within our school system.
The June 27, 2013, approval came from the six elected Board members who were present at the meeting: Board Chair Frank Aquino, Sandra French, Ellen Giles, Janet Siddiqui, Cynthia Vaillancourt and me. Brian Meshin was not present and did not vote.
As a board, we are one oversight body. I therefore was troubled when I read the Aug.22 Howard County Times/Columbia Flier article, "Howard School System launches social media," which was accompanied by a picture of Mr. Meshkin and referenced his personal political website.
The move toward embracing social media in policy was a year-long collaborative effort in the making. The school system, under the vision and direction of Superintendent Dr. Renee Foose, established a committee to develop a system policy. The committee members were representatives of varying stakeholder groups: teachers, administrators, parents, community members, county government and students — all of whom have a stake in our policies. The committee recommended the language that is now included in Policy 8080.
Ann De Lacy
Howard County School Board member
Columbia