Arrowhead board hears students’ privacy concerns over new electronic pass system; administration pledges review

Superintendent Farmer told the Arrowhead UHS School District Board that the district—s new electronic pass system (EPAS) is intended to improve student safety and supervision and that, "With the EPAS system, our buildings are safer than they have ever been." He said staff will work with students and families to accommodate unusual circumstances and that data on pass use is deleted annually.

The EPAS drew extended public comment from students and community members on privacy, technical problems and the seven-pass weekly limit. Student speakers said large numbers of students oppose aspects of the system and asked the board to review it. "Tracking bathroom usage, location, and personal time through a third-party company raises serious questions about data privacy and student rights," said student speaker Will Budiac. Junior Dia Aurora said the student petition and online forms represent "over 600 students, which is over 25% of our student population," and urged the board to "look into this matter deeper." Student presenter Tessa Mom told the board a student survey collected 220 responses and that many respondents submitted written grievances.

Why it matters: The EPAS governs when and how students leave class during the school day. Parents and students said the system, as implemented, creates privacy concerns and practical problems for urgent needs such as menstrual care. District leaders said the system is meant to reduce unsupervised hallway time and to identify students who may need medical or counseling support.

Details and debate

Farmer opened his remarks by criticizing local media coverage of EPAS implementation, saying reporters had not contacted staff before publishing and that coverage mischaracterized the system—s effects. Farmer said the district—s prior move to a block schedule doubled passing time between classes, and that students still "have as many opportunities to use the facilities as any other high school in the area." He described the limits as a monitoring tool to flag potential misuse so staff can "determine if there's anything we can do to help minimize the loss of instructional time."

Students and speakers disputed several of Farmer—s assertions and urged changes. Tessa said a school-run sample survey produced 220 student responses, of which she said 195 included written grievances; she read sample comments compiled in a packet. Dia said she is not asking for removal of EPAS but recommended a middle ground, and that "the 7 minutes" and weekly seven-pass limit do not allow sufficient time for some needs. Will asked whether parents were notified and whether the third-party vendor retains pass data beyond the school year; Farmer said counts of pass use are retained and then deleted at the end of each year and that the system does not store medical records or other private information.

Board response and next steps

Board members acknowledged the volume of student engagement and described EPAS as an administrative rule under the superintendent—s purview while committing to review the implementation. The board president thanked students for civic engagement and said the district will conduct an assessment period and an ongoing review. At least one board member said the administration will consider whether the seven-pass limit should be adjusted.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to send a letter of intent to the Village of Heartland board regarding annexation and long-term planning: approved (motion made, seconded; vote recorded as carried). - Consent agenda (minutes from 09/10/2025 meeting, bill payments, donations, personnel report): approved (motion made, seconded; carried). - 2026 student trip to China (world language proposal): approved (motion made, seconded; carried). - 2025-26 Education for Employment plan (state-required CTE plan): approved (motion made, seconded; carried). - NEOLA policy updates (multiple policies): approved (motion made, seconded; carried). - Human growth and development policy revision: approved (motion made, seconded; carried).

No vote was taken to remove or suspend EPAS during the meeting. Board members said they expect an administrative review of the system and asked staff to bring revised recommendations to the board if changes are proposed.

What the district said about exceptional needs and data

Farmer and administrators said teachers can override pass limits when needed and that "any student with unusual circumstances that needs accommodations will be able to use the facilities when needed." Farmer also said data kept by the system is limited to counts of how many times a student leaves class and that the district deletes that information at the end of each school year. Board members asked administrators to clarify how the district will handle menstrual- or medical-related needs and to report back as part of the ongoing review.

Community reaction

Several student speakers told the board they organized petitions, surveys and comment packets. One student leader said the Arrowhead Student Board compiled student input and that the group would continue to press for review. Board members praised the students— civics engagement and said public comment will be taken under advisement as the administration revisits EPAS implementation.

Bottom line: The board did not take formal action to change EPAS at the meeting. Administration defended EPAS as a safety and supervision tool and pledged an assessment and ongoing review; students and some board members pushed for clearer privacy safeguards, changes to the weekly pass limit and stronger communications with parents and the community.