Lexington 1 details data-privacy safeguards and new safety technology for schools

District IT leaders Jenny Garris and Derrick Berry presented a data-privacy and cybersecurity briefing, explaining federal requirements (FERPA, COPPA, CIPA, and PIPRA) that govern student data and online resources. They described district vetting tools — including participation in the Student Data Privacy Consortium and the OneEdTech trusted-app directory — that the district uses to screen vendors' terms of service, privacy policies, accessibility, encryption, data-destruction practices, and storage location (the district said it will not permit services that store student data outside the United States).

Derrick Berry highlighted practical vetting questions: what student and staff data a vendor collects, where data are stored, whether the vendor sells or reuses data for commercial purposes, and whether teachers can monitor student work. The district maintains a public software list that indicates which tools are approved for which grade levels and which are blocked.

On physical safety, Chris Elisor described expanded school-safety measures: 36 full-time school resource officers for secondary and key sites, a three-region responder structure, phased camera upgrades, vape detectors, digital exterior door locks, and the districtwide Syntegix wearable alert badge that can trigger a lockdown, notify responders, and push information to Lexington County dispatch. He also summarized behavioral threat assessment activity (74 screeners, five full assessments) and the new Handle With Care referral protocol with local first responders to flag children who may need additional school support after traumatic incidents.

Board members asked for data about usage, the scope of vendor agreements, and how parents can learn about approved tools; IT said the district will continue publishing the trusted-app list and encouraged parents to talk with teachers about resource use.