Has the Mankato Area School District ever contacted you or your child asking that a social media post be removed?

I recently heard from a constituent who alleged that the district called them and asked that they remove a post. They sent me a screenshot of another social media user who posted:

“As a parent who received a call from staff today asking me to tell my daughter to take down her post of the video, I just want any student to know you do have a voice and a right. In the midst of chaos and altercations, a video can speak for itself.”

I’m not sharing that screenshot publicly because the person who forwarded it to me was not the original poster. I’m sharing it only to illustrate the kind of situation I’d like to learn more about.

The reason I’m asking is because the School Board will be holding a second reading of our Internet Use Policy (Policy 524) at our October 6 meeting. In particular, Section V.B. 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.  A student or employee engaging in the foregoing unacceptable uses of the Internet when off school district premises also may be in violation of this policy as well as other school district policies.… 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 in December 2021, with the stated intent of addressing off-campus speech that disrupts classwork or invades the rights of others—especially in cases of bullying or harassment.

While disciplinary action under this policy is directed at students, it does not explicitly limit the monitoring of off-campus speech to students. That raises important questions about how the policy is being interpreted and applied.

The challenge is finding the right balance: protecting students from harm while ensuring we do not 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 or your child been affected by this policy?
• 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