SANFORD — Parents who spoke up at a School Committee meeting Monday said they want stricter policies on students’ use of school-issued iPads after reports of sexting surfaced within the last couple of weeks.

Parents and others who have an interest will be able to examine and suggest changes to the policy on the use of electronic devices.

Following lengthy public comment, the School Committee agreed to direct administration to set up community workshops. The School Committee hopes to have a new policy in place before the start of the new school year in September.

Parents say sexting – the transmittal of nude and sexually explicit images over school-issued iPads – is rampant, and headlines in Maine and elsewhere bear that out. Internet searches for “sexting issue schools” turn up news stories and policies from Colorado to Kansas, from the United Kingdom and Australia to Maine.

Parent Steve Carriere said existing policies fall short, and refer to what students “may” not do, rather than what they “shall” not do.

“The language needs to be stricter and stronger,” he said.

Carriere acknowledged that students may still use iPads and other technology inappropriately at home, but that is the parent’s responsibility.

“A lot of parents are teed off because they feel it is being pushed back on them,” said Carriere. “I don’t need school to tell me how to parent; I want the school to take ownership and responsibility.”

Parent Kristy Lemay was among a number of parents who suggested an advisory board that includes parents to work on the policy.

Her husband, Robert Lemay, estimated that more than 100 students from Sanford and several surrounding school districts are sending sexually explicit photos and videos – some, he claimed, filmed inside Sanford High School.

“We want your input; we don’t take this lightly,” said School Committee Chairman Jonathan Mapes. “It’s not an easy topic. I genuinely appreciate the input.”

One mother said she is a victim of revenge porn – the posting of sexually explicit photos on the web by an ex-partner without the subject’s permission.

“This destroys lives,” said the woman, who asked not to be identified. “I suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome. This will happen to your students.”

Parents said it is the school’s responsibility to block access to sites that show students how to get around firewalls and other means that schools use to try to prevent inappropriate use.

“We hear you; we really do hear you and we want what you want,” said School Committee member Kendra Williams.

“I am listening, said the School Committee’s Vice Chairman John Roux. “We know you really care. Please give us the input, we will listen.”

The district’s technology director, Joan Wright, said new devices to be issued in the fall will give the district an opportunity to audit what students are doing on their iPads.

She said while there are firewalls now that block students access to social media and other sites, students find ways around the block. She pointed out that students with data plans on their cell phones can access the sites without going through the school’s system.

“These kids are getting away with this, and if it was an adult, the consequences would be great,” said parent Joy Bartolome.

There is no specific law that addresses sexting in Maine, although Sanford Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio sponsored a bill in 2013 after local school resource officers expressed their concern. Mastraccio said the bill died in the Legislature because there was a feeling that existing laws were working.

Sanford Police Chief Tom Connolly said sexting can be prosecuted under child pornography laws that apply to underage people as well as adults.

“If an underage person takes a (pornographic photo) and sends it, it is transmission of child pornography, and it is a pretty serious felony,” said Connolly. Those convicted appear on the state’s sex offender registry.

Procedurally, the School Committee gave initial approval to an update to the existing electronic device policy that it began discussing a month ago. But committee members acknowledged that it could change considerably before a second reading is held.

In the meantime, parents who are interested in taking part in one or more workshops to provide input on a new policy are urged to notify the School Department.

After the meeting, parent Emily Sheffield said she hopes parents follow through with the workshops and keep involved with the School Department through the budgeting process and beyond.

“I think lines are blurred now between home and school because of technology,” said Sheffield. “You need parents at the table to make policy changes.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.