08/24/2026
✒️ From the desk of Superintendent Lenny Whalen:
2026 SB 181 Revision
Subject: Important Reminder: Staff & Student Electronic Communication Guidelines (Kentucky SB 181 / KRS 160.145)
Dear Dawson Springs Panther Parents, Guardians, and Students,
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, Dawson Springs Independent Schools would like to remind our families of Kentucky state law (KRS 160.145 / Senate Bill 181) regarding electronic communications between school personnel and students.
To protect student safety and maintain complete transparency, ALL electronic communication between school staff/volunteers and students (including student-athletes) must take place exclusively through two district-approved, traceable communication platforms, ParentSquare / StudentSquare and Official District Email accounts.
What This Means for Students & Families
No Unapproved Electronic Contact: School employees and active volunteers are strictly prohibited from using personal text messaging, personal email, or social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, iMessage, Signal, Instagram) for two-way communication with students.
Direct Student Inquiries: Should a student reach out to a staff member using an unapproved platform or personal text, the staff member legally cannot respond on that platform and will direct the student to ParentSquare or official school email.
Family Exemptions: The law provides built-in exemptions for school employees or volunteers who are direct family members (parents, legal guardians, step-parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, or grandparents) communicating with their own relative.
Getting Connected on ParentSquare & StudentSquare:
We encourage all parents and secondary students to download and set up the ParentSquare and StudentSquare applications:
New Parent Account Request: www.parentsquare.com/join_school/new
ParentSquare App: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
StudentSquare App: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priorities. We appreciate your continued partnership as we follow state regulations to keep communication safe, clear, and accessible.
If you have questions regarding this policy or need assistance getting set up on ParentSquare, please contact your child’s school office at (270) 797-3811 to speak with the Principal or Assistant Principal.
Thank you for your support of Dawson Springs Independent Schools—go Panthers!
Best regards,
Lenny Whalen
Superintendent, Dawson Springs Independent Schools
