School communicators are navigating a lot. Emerging technology is shaping how school content is created and shared. At the same time, teams are preparing for the upcoming ADA compliance deadline and managing their public presence on social media amid heightened scrutiny.
To help bring legal clarity, we teamed up with our friends and partners at KSB School Law to chat about risks, challenges, and considerations surrounding these topics. Here, we’re recapping questions and answers from our candid conversation with school law attorneys Bobby Truhe and Karen Haase.
What should school communicators be paying attention to in 2026?
This year, schools should be prepared to demonstrate positive intent, consistency, and progress in any legal challenge. There’s a lot of legislation to pay attention to, and it’s natural for schools to misstep along the way. But, clear policies and documented decision-making go a long way as legislation and technology continue to evolve. The schools that feel the most confident right now are the ones having proactive conversations rather than reacting under pressure.
What are the biggest legal concerns around AI and school communications?
The main legal risks surrounding AI come from unclear policies. Schools need to educate staff and students on AI use and expectations around accuracy, privacy, and safety. From a communications standpoint, schools are still accountable for misleading, inaccurate, or inappropriate content, even if generated by AI.
Bobby and Karen also emphasized caution around uploading sensitive information into AI platforms. Many tools require users to submit text, images, or data, and schools need to ensure their community knows what information should never be shared.
Students also need to understand that creating inappropriate media with AI tools is still illegal, even if it’s not real. It’s the school’s responsibility to develop a strong AI policy and ensure their community is educated on responsible use.
What does a strong AI policy for schools entail?
Bobby and Karen stressed that having an AI policy is far more important than having a perfect AI policy. Leadership should focus on clear guidance, not an exhaustive list of rules.
An effective AI policy should:
- Be treated as a living document
- Clearly define where and how AI tools may be used
- Set expectations around accuracy, representation, and appropriateness
- Address the legality of AI-generated images and videos
- Align with existing policies for communications, staff and student conduct, and Title IX
What currently poses the biggest risk to schools when it comes to social media?
Unofficial accounts, unclear ownership, and inconsistent moderation practices can all create confusion and risk. These issues make schools more vulnerable to misinformation and impersonation.
Bobby and Karen emphasized the importance for schools to have clearly defined, official social media channels. It’s also very important to know who has access to these accounts and who can publish content. When communities know where to find accurate information, schools are better positioned to maintain trust and authority.
When is it okay for schools to remove comments or block users?
Schools generally can legally moderate comments, but consistency and documentation matter. If a district has clear community guidelines and applies them equitably, they have much stronger footing in legal challenges. Problems arise when moderation decisions feel arbitrary or reactive.
Schools should think ahead and have a documented process in place so they can respond confidently when comment sections become heated.
What consequences do schools need to worry about with the upcoming ADA compliance deadline?
The biggest risk isn’t perfection—it’s inaction. Schools that make no effort to address accessibility are far more vulnerable than those that can demonstrate good-faith progress.
It’s also important to remember that accessibility isn’t just a legal issue. When content isn’t accessible, all members of the community, not just those who need accommodations, are left out of important information. The impact of this work is just as important as (if not more important than) compliance.
Where do you most often see schools getting tripped up with web accessibility?
Schools struggle when trying to tackle too much at once. To be prepared ahead of the deadline, focus on progress not perfection. Start with high-impact content first, like handbooks, calendars, and schedules. Then, focus on training staff and content creators on habits they can build to ensure content is accessible moving forward.
Also, be sure to review what content is required to be accessible. Social media content is one that’s often missed. Under the updated regulations, new social media content created after the deadline is expected to meet accessibility requirements.
What should schools keep in mind when communicating about bonds or referendums?
Schools should not be afraid to share information about bonds, explain needs, and provide context—but they should be careful not to cross the line into advocacy. Clear, factual communication helps communities make informed decisions without putting districts at risk.
Moving Forward with Confidence
A recurring theme throughout the discussion was that schools don’t need to be perfect, they just need to be intentional and proactive. By staying informed, having clear policies, and approaching communication decisions thoughtfully, school PR leaders and administrators can navigate 2026 with confidence.
In case you missed it, tune in to our full school law conversation with Bobby and Karen here.
Class Intercom was built specifically for education. We know and understand the unique challenges facing school PR and communications professionals at the district level and across school buildings. To learn more about how we can help your team establish a secure and compliant social media presence through moderation and archival, get in touch at the link below.
