Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kenston board approves Stop It anonymous-reporting contract; superintendent highlights safety uses after public bullying concerns
Summary
The board approved a contract to implement Stop It Solutions, an anonymous reporting app the superintendent described as giving students and parents a direct, anonymous channel to report bullying, threats and other concerns. The board also discussed partnering with the ESC of Northeast Ohio for substitute staffing support.
The Kenston Local Schools Board of Education voted Jan. 13 to approve a contract to implement Stop It Solutions, an anonymous reporting platform Superintendent Dr. Bruce Willingham recommended to increase responsiveness to safety and behavioral concerns.
Willingham described Stop It as a 100% anonymous reporting tool that allows users to send text, photo or video evidence to district responders, and to engage in anonymous two-way messaging with trained staff when appropriate. He said the district anticipates roughly a 30-day implementation period, that uploaded inappropriate media is vetted by Stop It before district administrators receive it, and that the service includes access to crisis counselors. Willingham said the district expects an initial surge of test reports but that the system’s anonymity and a built-in escalation/call-tree process will help administrators respond promptly. He told the board the contract cost is $10,000 per year and that the district will pay from grant funds, not the operating budget.
The approval followed public comment from a parent who urged permanent, board-level action on bullying. Michael Spradling told the board that interviews with parents pointed to long-standing bullying, said he welcomed the superintendent’s Stop It recommendation and requested additional steps including a town-hall forum, a parent review committee for Stop It metrics, and other measures to hold the district and community accountable. The board acknowledged the comments and said administration takes bullying seriously.
Willingham also updated the board on discussions with the Educational Service Center (ESC) of Northeast Ohio to bolster the district’s substitute teacher pool; he said ESC can add roughly 40 subs from nearby districts immediately and up to 100 in total, and that the ESC will handle onboarding tasks such as background checks and licensure verification. The board approved associated business items and contracts on the consent/business operations portion of the agenda.
During discussion board members asked about cost and funding; Willingham confirmed the Stop It subscription is budgeted through grant funds for the first year. The superintendent said Stop It will be accessible via the district website and app and gave principals the responsibility to review and triage reports with district support.
