PITTSFIELD, Mass. — School officials feel an urgent need to update the policy manual for social media.  
Last week, the Policy subcommittee sent a revised document to the School Committee that bars teachers and staff from friending students and giving out their private phone numbers. It is based on the Massachusetts Association of School Committees' model.

"I think we need to build it into the policy manual while everything else is a work in progress," Chair William Cameron said. "I think this needs to go in there now."

According to the policy, the superintendent and principals will annually remind staff members and orient new ones of the "importance of maintaining proper decorum in the online, digital world as well as in person."

"Employees must conduct themselves in ways that do not distract from or disrupt the educational process," it reads.

The state Department of Children and Families recently cleared two Pittsfield High School administrators accused of misconduct: Dean of Students Molly West and Vice Principal Alison Shepard.  

West and Shepard were put on administrative leave in December. A couple of days before, PHS Dean Lavante Wiggins was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine.

The School Committee investigation into allegations of wrongdoing by PHS staff members began at the beginning of the year and is expected to be completed on or before March 31.