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Beaufort schools adopt StopIt and lean on Gaggle data to speed bullying response
Summary
District security staff briefed the committee on an anonymous reporting tool, StopIt, and ongoing monitoring through Gaggle; presenters said the systems provide real‑time data and follow‑up metrics (210 reports submitted to Nov. 4; 70 classified as bullying). The board discussed SRO placements and plans for community outreach.
Beaufort County School District security and student‑services staff told the operations committee they have shifted to an anonymous reporting platform, StopIt Solutions, and continue to use Gaggle monitoring to detect threats and harmful content on student devices.
"StopIt gives us the real‑time data we need to see where incidents are happening and how the schools are following up," said Dr. Graham, who introduced herself in the meeting materials as "Abila Grama." She said the system notifies assigned staff, tracks how long schools take to close incidents and records the follow‑up action (counseling, referrals, or safety plans).
Dr. Grama said that as of Nov. 4 the district had received 210 submissions through the new system; 70 of those were deemed confirmed bullying incidents and the remainder were classified as inappropriate conduct or other categories. "The action that's taken most often is counseling," she said.
Andre Murray, the district human‑services coordinator, described Gaggle, the district's device‑monitoring software. "We have a PSS category (possible student situation) that triggers immediate escalation," Murray said. "If our staff do not acknowledge a PSS within three minutes, Gaggle will continue outreach until it reaches a responsible staff member." He added that the district's resolution rate for reported items is about 92 percent.
Security director Dave Grissom told board members the district continues to pursue state grants to place school resource officers (SROs) and that three early‑childhood centers remain pending approval from the state. Grissom said the district plans further community outreach and training to explain how parents can use the district's reporting and response systems.
Board members asked for clarifying material the committee can share with parents, including the district AR/SS policy that defines bullying and the flow chart that shows school and dispatcher responsibilities when incidents occur. Dr. Grama said the district will carry outreach into the community and provide materials in Spanish.
The committee did not take a formal vote on the systems during the presentation; staff said they intended to place standard crisis‑response items on the full board's consent agenda for approval.
