Alliance City School uses software that monitors student online activity in class

Benjamin Duer, Canton Repository
·2 min read

ALLIANCE ‒ Keeping children safe online is a constant battle, with no guarantees, particularly at school.

"Can we ensure that a child is safe from all (inappropriate searches)? I can't say that," said Chad Morris, technology director for Alliance City Schools, on Tuesday night. "But, we do everything we can to make sure they are."

Chad Morris, technology director for Alliance City School District, talks about online safety with the Board of Education on Sept. 19, 2023.
Chad Morris, technology director for Alliance City School District, talks about online safety with the Board of Education on Sept. 19, 2023.

Morris, speaking to the Board of Education with education technology specialist Misty Sampson, explained how the district handles internet use and misuse on district-owned computers, using GoGuardian software.

Sampson said the GoGuardian software monitors student online activity, filters content and issues alerts for inappropriate use. She said all teachers can track student online searches and time spent on websites. They also can block sites.

Another safety issue ‒ school buses ‒ was addressed by Superintendent Rob Gress on Tuesday night, following a number of high-profile crashes this school year across the state.

Those crashes included a Marlington Local Schools bus that overturned with 19 students on board on Sept. 11. The bus driver, who had a spotty driving record, later resigned.

"We had a mandatory meeting with our drivers," Gress said. "We told them to be careful, be safe and remember who they are carrying."

In other business, board members:

  • Heard there is a new graffiti rock at the high school for students to express themselves. Gress encouraged it. "The students don't think they can do it. They can. Express yourselves," he said.

  • Approved $69.8 million in permanent appropriations for the 2023-24 school year; $51.2 million of it goes into the general fund.

  • Met Aidan James, a senior who will present students at board meetings this year. He replaces Tamra Jackson, who graduated.

  • Approved a resolution to bid for the purchase of two school buses, one handicap bus and one passenger van via the Ohio Schools Council Cooperative program.

  • Accepted donations from Sarchione Ford of Alliance, Dehoff Flowers of Alliance, Northeast Ohio Excavating, John Horan, Step2, Canton Habitat for Humanity Restore, Simplay3 Company, Harbor Freight, Grove Appliance and Amber Ferrall.

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Alliance City Schools uses GoGuardian to track students online use