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Despite criticism by the ACLU, the Camdenton School district officials say a complaint from the ACLU is not going to change their policy or their approach to monitoring sexually explicit/pornographic Internet sites when students return to class next week.
The school district was cited by the ACLU as one of many across the country that allegedly violate students’ constitutional rights by filtering certain types of sites. The ACLU's position is that the district's filtering software is too restrictive and prohibits students from accessing information online. An example cited were sites that advocated for the fair treatment of lesbians and gays.
Superintendent Tim Hadfield said the district's first and foremost responsibility is to protect students from sexually explicit/pornographic information. The district does not feel its system of filtering Internet sites has violated students rights. Part of the problem, Hadfield said, is the ACLU was given incorrect information.
Hadfield said Camdenton was one of many schools cited by the ACLU for using a specific type of filtering system. However, Camdenton does not use that particular system. The district customized its own system.
"The ACLU said we were using that specific type of software and we are not," he said. "Our district technology administration has created a system for the district. We do not specifically filter sites promoting alternative lifestyles. We do specifically block sites that are inappropriate and will continue to do so. We disagree with their position and turned the issue over to our attorney to address."
The district has and will continue to make exceptions for students when they make a request to view sites that are automatically filtered as long as those sites do not violate the district's policies. The district has made certain requested sites which are not sexuality explicit are open.
Hadfield said the district was notified of the ACLU's complaint by letter.
Contact Lake Media Editorial Director Joyce L. Miller at joyce.miller@lakesunonline.com.
Despite criticism by the ACLU, the Camdenton School district officials say a complaint from the ACLU is not going to change their policy or their approach to monitoring sexually explicit/pornographic Internet sites when students return to class next week.
The school district was cited by the ACLU as one of many across the country that allegedly violate students’ constitutional rights by filtering certain types of sites. The ACLU's position is that the district's filtering software is too restrictive and prohibits students from accessing information online. An example cited were sites that advocated for the fair treatment of lesbians and gays.
Superintendent Tim Hadfield said the district's first and foremost responsibility is to protect students from sexually explicit/pornographic information. The district does not feel its system of filtering Internet sites has violated students rights. Part of the problem, Hadfield said, is the ACLU was given incorrect information.
Hadfield said Camdenton was one of many schools cited by the ACLU for using a specific type of filtering system. However, Camdenton does not use that particular system. The district customized its own system.
"The ACLU said we were using that specific type of software and we are not," he said. "Our district technology administration has created a system for the district. We do not specifically filter sites promoting alternative lifestyles. We do specifically block sites that are inappropriate and will continue to do so. We disagree with their position and turned the issue over to our attorney to address."
The district has and will continue to make exceptions for students when they make a request to view sites that are automatically filtered as long as those sites do not violate the district's policies. The district has made certain requested sites which are not sexuality explicit are open.
Hadfield said the district was notified of the ACLU's complaint by letter.
Contact Lake Media Editorial Director Joyce L. Miller at joyce.miller@lakesunonline.com.
