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Henderson County Schools adopts Apogee 'Rooms' for SB‑181 compliance, approves limited use of HCC platforms for dual credit
Summary
Board discussed state traceable‑communication requirements and approved using Apogee Rooms as the district's secure communication tool; the board also approved limited use of Blackboard, Starfish and Outlook for dual‑credit classes delivered in partnership with Henderson Community College.
The Henderson County Board of Education on July 21 reviewed implementation steps for the state’s traceable‑communication requirements (referred to in the meeting as Senate Bill 181) and approved district use of Apogee Rooms as the district’s traceable communication tool. The board also approved limited, documented use of Henderson Community College (HCC) platforms — Blackboard, Starfish and Outlook — for instructors and students in dual‑credit classes.
District communications staff said the district has purchased and is rolling out Apogee Rooms, which is integrated into the district’s app. Communications leader (identified in the meeting as Miss Mortis) said the district has begun staff and principal trainings and has posted how‑to videos by Chris Gordon on the district website. “We have already started meeting with our coaches, principals, administrators, to do the launch of rooms,” Mortis said.
Officials told the board that Apogee Rooms will produce time‑stamped, archived and reportable communications that meet the law’s traceability requirements. The district has posted a parental consent form on its website that allows parents to authorize direct contact outside of the district’s traceable‑communication tool for specific persons; staff said the consent form is required by the law when parents opt in.
Board members and staff discussed social‑media limits: staff said employees were instructed to remove private social media connections with current students and that district pages and clubs may use public pages only. The district stated there will be student and targeted team training (cheerleading and some clubs already have training) and ongoing communication with families and staff as the implementation proceeds.
A practical issue arose for teachers who provide dual‑credit classes through Henderson Community College: HCC uses Blackboard, Outlook and Starfish for course delivery. The district’s staff requested the board acknowledge those three platforms as acceptable only for instructors and students enrolled in HCC dual‑credit courses so those teachers are not penalized for using HCC’s systems. Board members approved that limited acknowledgment by voice vote.
Board member Mr. Alves moved to approve limited use of Blackboard, Starfish and Outlook for HCC dual‑credit classes; Mr. McGar seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
