Teacher calls for revision of Kentucky Teacher Communication Law, claims it’s too vague

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Texting between students and teachers is no longer legal, unless it is through a communication system provided by school districts.

However, some teachers said the law needs revision, calling it too vague and an invasion of privacy that targets a select group of people.

“The first time I read through the bill, I immediately, with one reading, knew this was going to cause some major negative impacts on our lives, the people that work in the public school system,” Allison Slone said.

Slone, who is a Rowan County teacher, created the Facebook group Kentucky Teachers in the Know, which has more than 32,000 members.

She said the law shuts off communication between teachers who could be stepparents to children who are students and prohibits conversations between close family and friends.

“It’s hard to know if it applies to all students in your district, just those in your school, if it applies to those all over the state. Family that is defined leaves out people like stepchildren,” Slone continued. “We work with students who are in high school in our other jobs, and therefore it’s impacting employers at these other jobs, so it’s not just impacting those of us in the classroom.”

Slone said it also impacts religious communities, potentially cutting off students from conversations with a pastor or church youth leader.

Lawmakers said the reason behind Senate Bill 181 is to prevent inappropriate communication with students. Teachers can still use approved platforms such as Google Classroom that all students can see, but not private texts or messages on social media.

Slone said predators are already breaking the law and will find a way to do what they want.

“There’s laws that already exist; when people have ill intentions towards children, they’re going to have those intentions, and they’re going to find a way, one way or the other. That’s why it’s called grooming; that’s why we don’t know it’s happening,” Slone said.

She said she and others are fearful that by the next legislative session, teachers and coaches will get in trouble for actions that they are innocently doing, and believes this on the agenda in a called special session could help make the law clearer.