Teachers and principals may soon be more active on Facebook and Twitter as the Central Kitsap School District develops a policy for how to handle social media.

David Beil, who is the CKSD director of community relations, said some “pockets” of district personnel are currently using social media, but not in an official capacity.

A policy could be ready as soon as the end of April. Beil said the accounts could be gradually phased-in.

“We don’t think we really want to see 300 accounts spring up the day after you approve the policy,” Beil said.

Beil said the district would take steps to ensure compliance with public records laws.

“Does that mean if we had a Facebook account, that would be subject to public (records law)?,” asked Board President Bruce Richards. “Oh my gosh,” he said.

Beil said the district already complies with the law for email and other forms of communication.

Board member Eric Greene said the district would have to be careful with how it used social media.

“It really becomes a problem when you put it (a social media message) out there and then you take it back. It’s usually the stuff you take back that gets people looking,” Greene said. If a message were sent rashly, for example, “You’re amazed that the number of people that – in the eight seconds that it was there – saw it and retweeted it to the 14 other people,” he said.

“You’ve got to be responsible with whatever media you use,” Richards said.

Superintendent David McVicker noted that attention was a scarce resource and that messaging too often would turn people off. “I’m following a couple superintendents now (on Twitter) who I’m going to stop following pretty quick. I’m tired of the re-tweets. It’s just too much,” McVicker said.