Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Technology topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves new web‑filtering, classroom monitoring system; three‑year contract set at $60,480
Summary
The board approved a three‑year contract for a cloud‑based web filtering and classroom monitoring system that the district says will meet CIPA requirements, provide classroom management tools and offer wellness alerts; the quoted three‑year cost is $60,480.
The Richland County Community School District 1 board approved purchase of a cloud‑based web filtering and classroom management system under a three‑year contract costing $60,480.
District technology staff told the board the system is intended to meet federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirements, extend filtering to district devices when students are off campus, and provide classroom controls such as limiting the number of tabs a student may open and allowing teachers to view student screens. Staff also described a “wellness” component that can flag searches or activity potentially indicating self‑harm or other risks so counselors can follow up.
Technology staff said pricing for district filtering has risen over recent years and that a group of about 10 teachers evaluated vendor demonstrations; they recommended the selected vendor based on how the product processes images and videos, muting or blurring content that appears inappropriate while allowing safe content to display quickly. The system also logs attempts to use virtual private networks (VPNs) and other tactics students use to evade filters.
The board voted to approve the recommended product and contract. A board member asked several technical questions about VPN detection and whether the contract price covered a three‑year term; staff confirmed both.
