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Bullhead City board reviews internet-monitoring policies, staff outlines GoGuardian use and costs
Summary
At a board workshop, district administrators presented ASBA policy updates on internet security and described use of GoGuardian and BARC monitoring tools, how alerts are handled, parental notice through acceptable-use agreements, and an annual district cost of roughly $27,000.
District administrators presented recommended ASBA policy changes on internet security and walked the board through the software the district uses to monitor student devices.
The presenter said the district uses keyword-driven monitoring that generates alerts for administrators or teachers to review. "The system just alerts to keywords," the presenter said, adding that staff then examines context before deciding whether disciplinary action is warranted. The presenter stated that parents and students sign an acceptable-use agreement that discloses monitoring.
The presentation named two specific products: GoGuardian, described as a classroom and student‑device dashboard that lets teachers view students' screens and restrict access, and BARC, a scanning tool that reviews district email and digital documents for indicators of self-harm, threats or cyberbullying. "This is the dashboard for GoGuardian," the presenter said while showing usage charts and alert categories.
On costs, the presenter told the board the district pays $5.51 per student per year and $5.51 per teacher per year for GoGuardian and that total district spending this year for the services was "about $27,000." The presenter also noted the district is one of 52 in the state using similar tools and that only a few (three in Mohave County and Parker) within the county use such software.
Board members asked procedural questions about who reviews alerts and whether staff monitor continually; the presenter emphasized that no one actively watches student screens full time and that alerts are pulled up only on demand or when a principal or designee asks for context. The presenter framed the software as a safety tool that helps staff "get in front of" possible threats or self‑harm concerns, while also acknowledging some parents' privacy concerns.
The workshop discussion was informational (first reading) and did not include a policy adoption vote. The board recorded this item as part of the ASBA policy advisories presented in the workshop.
The district said it will provide the board with ancillary cost and implementation details if members request further clarification at subsequent meetings.
