Social Media Terms of Use

Social media tools are a powerful method of communication used by millions of individuals and groups across the globe to share information and connect with others. OSPI uses social media tools and channels to enhance communication and engagement with school districts, parents and families, stakeholders, the public, employees, and others to support the agency's brand and strategic goals.

OSPI uses social media to share information about the work that the agency is engaged in. OSPI encourages the public to provide feedback and thoughtful commentary regarding topics shared by OSPI, but also expects comments to be courteous. To that end, the agency has terms of use for users commenting on OSPI’s social media content. The agency reserves the right to remove comments that, in its discretion, are inconsistent with these terms of use.

Contacting OSPI via social media is not considered an official means of contacting the agency or providing public comment. While OSPI’s social media presence is monitored, questions for the agency should be sent to superintendent@k12.wa.us.

These terms of use apply to OSPI's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages.

Terms of Use

All social media platforms operated by OSPI are designated as Limited Public Forums. OSPI welcomes a person’s right to express their opinion and encourages posters to keep comments relevant to the topic in question. Posting of any content on any social media platform operated by OSPI constitutes acceptance of the terms of use described here in this policy.

The views expressed in user comments on OSPI social media platforms solely reflect those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official views of OSPI. In general, OSPI will allow comments reflecting any point of view on a posted topic, but the agency expectation is that comments will be consistent with OSPI's social media terms of use.

OSPI reserves the discretion to hide and remove comments, as well as block offenders, as a result of any social media user comments on any account operated by OSPI – including, but not limited to, quoted retweets, replies, links, and/or images – that are inconsistent with the following content guidelines:

• Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age, and/or honorably discharged veteran or military status.
• Personal attacks, name-calling, harassing, or defamatory statements, including derogatory comments directed at another individual or group of individuals.
• Violent, obscene, profane, pornographic, or threatening content and/or language.
• Advocacy of or opposition to any political candidate, political party, or ballot measure.
• External content not suitable for readers or viewers of all ages.
• Promotion of or inciting illegal or violent conduct.
• Content that is off-topic.
• Content containing false or misleading information, such as misinformation and disinformation.
• Advocacy of, promoting, or discussing commercial activity or private business interests, including links to or advertising commercial activity.
• Content that infringes on any trademark, copyright, or patent rights of another.
• Personal information including, but not limited to, email addresses, telephone numbers, mailing addresses, or personal identification numbers.
• Repetitive user comments, including those that are copied and pasted.

This social media comment policy is subject to amendment or modification at any time to ensure its continued use is consistent with its intended purpose as a Limited Public Forum.