CLEVELAND, Tenn. — The Bradley County Board of Education is amending its policies to add another layer of safety against unwanted electronic messages to children.
“We are putting language in our policy about ‘sexting,'” board member Christy Critchfield said at Thursday’s board meeting.
Sexting is sending sexually explicit text messages or photos between cell phones.
“We are putting this language in here so our employees know how we feel about it and so parents and students know how serious this is and that we will not allow it in Bradley County schools,” Critchfield said.
But the board is not stopping at updating its written policies.
“We are also going to educate our children on what it is and what we will allow and not allow,” Critchfield said. “Children can’t help what they receive on cell phones, but if they retain it or pass it on, that is something they can control.”
Students who are caught with inappropriate material will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Staff members could face punishment up to firing.
Director of Schools Johnny McDaniel said sexting is occurring at all levels of the school system, “even at the elementary level.”
Last week, the Cleveland Board of Education approved the same policy for city schools.
Recently, the county district attorney’s office asked city and county schools officials to implement some type of policy wording. Attorney Chuck Cagle also advised both boards.
“This is a part of the larger society, and it is not going away,” McDaniel said. “We want to be clear about our expectations. We will not tolerate any kind of bullying or harassment in Bradley County schools and that includes the use of cell phones and personal communications devices. This policy fairly states that this is a serious matter and we will take firm disciplinary action to prevent it.”