Berea Independent School District

Dear Pirate Families,
As you may be aware, the Kentucky General Assembly passed Senate Bill 181 (SB 181) during the 2025 legislative session. This law requires that all electronic communication between school employees or volunteers and students must occur through a school district’s approved, traceable communication system, unless a parent or legal guardian provides written consent allowing otherwise.

The goal of SB 181 is to protect students, encourage appropriate boundaries, and promote transparency in communication between staff and students. To meet the requirements of SB 181, our district has designated the following platforms as approved traceable communication systems:

District-issued Google Communication Tools
Apptegy

When SB 181 first became law, our district chose not to accept waivers, prioritizing consistent and universal safeguards. However, following updated guidance from the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, it is now clear that districts must accept parental waivers as outlined in KRS 160.145(4). Staff and volunteers are expected to use only the approved methods when communicating with students unless a valid waiver is on file.

If you wish to allow a specific school employee or volunteer to communicate with your child through personal methods such as texting, phone calls, or social media (e.g., church groups, non-school athletics), you may complete a waiver and return it to your child’s school office.

We will also have additional information available at our Back to School Bash this Friday. Staff will be available to answer any questions. Thank you for your continued partnership as we work to keep our students safe, supported, and connected. Check your email for a copy of the waiver to be used.

Our Kindergarten Camp was a flying sucess, over thirty students in attendance. Our elementary staff is excited to kick off the start of this new school year!