JCPS restricts teacher-student communication to email as it works to comply with new law

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Teachers and coaches across Kentucky will need to find a new way to communicate with students.

Senate Bill 181, which goes into effect later this month, sets guidelines for electronic communication between people who work for school districts and students. And, in advance of the bill's implementation, Jefferson County Public Schools is taking action now.

"We sent information to our principals and athletic directors last week letting them know that we are going to start this now," Carolyn Callahan, a spokesperson for the district, said Tuesday.

Effective immediately, JCPS school employees, coaches and volunteers can only communicate through their district email or through parents. That goes through Aug. 1, at which point the district aims to use an app for that communication.

"They cannot text them(and) they cannot send then a DM through social media," Callahan said.

A major goal of the bill was to prevent abuse. As it made its way through the Kentucky legislature, Ashley Nation, a former Indiana student who experienced grooming from her teacher, said the law will help with transparency and accountability in teacher-student communication.

"No parent should have to wonder if their child is being privately messaged in a way that crosses professional and ethical boundaries," Nation testified.

The new law will be a learning curve for school employees and volunteers in all school districts in Kentucky.

"I think it's a good idea to create the app situation," said Shannon Parks, a Louisville resident. "I feel like we can't monitor everything all the time. And people should have privacy. But where is that line drawn? I don't know."

And JCPS said it's necessary to keep kids safe.

"I think it provides safety for the child and teachers and coaches, because they need to be protected too," Parks said.

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