In a recent New Jersey appeals case, a school district’s decision to inform a prospective employer about a teacher’s inappropriate social media behavior was upheld. The teacher, referred to as A.B., was the subject of a “sexual misconduct investigation” as a result of her social media posts. The school district disclosed the information in response to an inquiry about the teacher, following the mandate of a 2018 statute known as the “Pass the Trash Law.”
John G. Geppert Jr., the attorney representing the school district, stated, “We believe the court was correct in ruling that under the terms of the statute, this wildly inappropriate language should not be shared with students.”
A point of note in this case is the New Jersey Appellate Division’s endorsement of the Acting State Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan’s earlier finding, which formed the basis of the court’s consent that the school district had acted correctly according to the statute.
Further details about the case indicate its significance for educators and other professionals who rely on social media for personal expression. This ruling reaffirms the legal understanding that professional responsibilities and decorum extend to virtual platforms, highlighting the need for employees and employers to exercise discernment in their online activities.