Richland schools restrict YouTube sign-in on student Google accounts; district to clarify Chromebook impacts

District staff reported that Google Workspace for Education changes now prevent students from signing into YouTube using their Richland School District (RSD) accounts on district-issued devices. The district said elementary student accounts lost YouTube access on Feb. 27 and secondary-account restrictions were applied March 9 at 4 p.m.; staff emphasized that teachers retain access via staff accounts and that YouTube videos embedded in Canvas or Google Classroom remain viewable.

Kirsten (speaker 8), a member of the school-based mental health team who briefed students and the board, said the changes are mandated by Google and intended to improve student safety. Board members asked whether the change blocks only RSD sign-in or also blocks access programmatically via the district firewall; staff replied that the restriction applies to student accounts (the "dot edu" student account types) and that personal accounts can be used on devices in at least some configurations, though district-managed Chromebooks have limits.

Why it matters: Board members raised practical concerns about seniors who use RSD student accounts for college and scholarship communications that expire at graduation; staff noted that students should be encouraged to use personal email accounts for post-graduation contacts but acknowledged the transition presents friction. The board asked for clearer communication to students and families and follow-up about whether district network/firewall settings differ from other local districts that have fully blocked access.

Next steps: Staff said they will follow up with clarified guidance to students and families, and bring more detail to the next student advisory meeting. The board flagged the Chromebook/Google issue for further discussion at an upcoming meeting and asked staff to include communications plans and any technical distinctions (account-based sign-in vs. network-level blocking).