Superintendent explains SB 181, impact on teachers, students

June 24, 2025

The following is a message from Clay School Superintendent William Sexton in regards to Senate Bill 181 and the impact it will have for the school system.

Important Update on Communication Changes Due to Senate Bill 181

With the recent passage of Senate Bill 181, our school district is required to ensure that all communication with students occurs through approved, traceable systems by June 27, 2025. To comply with this new law, we are preparing to implement Parent Square as our primary communication platform.

What This Means for You and Your Student

Approved Communication Tools: Parent Square will be our main tool, along with email.

No Personal Messaging: Teachers, staff, and volunteers will no longer be allowed to use personal texts, emails, or social media to communicate with students. This includes private messages and comments on posts.

Social Media Changes: As part of our efforts to comply with Senate Bill 181, when we share information on our official social media accounts, we will be disabling comments on those posts. This is to ensure we are not creating two-way communication with students through platforms that are not approved or traceable, as required by the law.

Why You Might Notice Changes

You may see teachers or staff begin to remove students as friends or followers on social media. Please know this is not personal—it’s simply part of complying with the new law. We understand that many students have close relationships with staff members, and this will take some adjusting.

Family Member Exceptions

Senate Bill 181 does allow exceptions for family members such as:

Parents or legal guardians

Siblings

Children

Aunts, uncles, and grandparents

These exceptions apply only to personal, family relationships.

Next Steps

As we finalize our list of approved communication tools, we will share them with you. We are committed to maintaining clear and effective communication and will ensure you stay informed throughout this transition.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to meet the requirements of SB181 while continuing to support your child’s education.

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