School policy aims to keep sex out of texts Posted by Kimberly Jacobson in News Sep 02, 2010 | 1370 views

School administration will be able search students’ electronic devices for explicit messages with reasonable cause if the Anacortes School Board approves a policy update.

With the rise in student “sexting” nationally, the Anacortes School District has added a specific section to its student and telecommunications devices policy that address students sending or sharing sexually explicit pictures, text messages or e-mails.

The Anacortes School Board heard updates to the policy at its Aug. 19 meeting. It is expected to make a decision this month.

Superintendent Chris Borgen said the district hasn’t had issues with students “sexting” and the policy update is a pre-emptive move.

The policy’s wording is stricter on use of personal devices at school or at school-sponsored or school-related activities that poses a threat to academic integrity, disrupts the learning environment or violates the privacy rights of others.

It also adds a section on “sexting” and its consequences:

“Students shall not send, share, view or possess pictures, text messages, e-mails or other material of a sexually explicit nature in electronic or any other form on a cell phone or other electronic device, while the student is on school grounds at school sponsored events, or on school buses or vehicles provided by the district.”

Students who violate the policy are subject to disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion and losing the privilege of bringing the device onto school property.

Added to the policy is the ability of administrators, with reasonable cause, to search the device. Content or images that violate criminal laws will be forwarded to law enforcement.

Anacortes Police Chief Bonnie Bowers said students could be charged with pornography depending on the photo or information.

“It’s the same type of laws we use for Internet pornography,” she said.

The district policy adds that “By bringing a cell phone and other electronic devices to school or school sponsored events, the student and parents consent to the search of the device when school officials have a reasonable suspicion that such a search will reveal a violation of school rules.”