I want to draw attention to a section of the Mankato Mankato Area School district’s Internet Use Policy, which is scheduled for its second reading at our October school board meeting. Internet Use Policy 524. Under Section V.B., it states:

“The school district has a special interest in regulating off-campus speech that materially disrupts classwork or involves substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others… including serious or severe bullying or harassment targeting particular individuals, threats aimed at teachers or other students, failure to follow rules concerning lessons, the writing of papers, the use of computers, or participation in other online school activities, and breaches of school security devices.”

This language was adopted unanimously by the school board in December 2021. At that time, the director explained the intent was to address off-campus speech that disrupts classwork or invades the rights of others—especially in cases of bullying or harassment.

We recently held a first reading of the policy and will have a second reading in October. What stood out to me in reviewing this language is that, while disciplinary action is directed at students, the policy does not explicitly limit the monitoring of off-campus speech to students.

The challenge is finding the balance: protecting students from harm while ensuring we don’t drift into policing speech beyond the classroom in ways that chill open dialogue.

As school board members, we cannot represent you well unless we hear from you. Have you been affected by this policy, and if so, how? Do you feel the language should be amended, clarified, or changed? Your input matters, and I welcome your feedback as we move toward the second reading. ehanke1@isd77.org, call or text 507.351.3367.

Thanks,

Beth