BY MIRIAM SMITH
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP -- Kings Local School officials are taking an extra step to help schools filter what might otherwise slip through on the Internet.
Board members Tuesday unanimously approved a measure enabling the district to use OneNet's "filtering" software at a cost of $4,755 this year.
The issue was raised last month by Board President Janet Noble because she believed parents may be questioning what restraints the district has on Internet usage.
Assistant Superintendent Dick Bell said while the program does filter out some undesirable Web sites, "none are foolproof." The district already has an "acceptable users" policy, which forbids students from accessing undesirable sites, such as pornography, and there are consequences if it's violated, he said.
Board member Steve Contardi said the district has an obligation to do it.
"I think for the minimal charge we're silly if we don't, as long as we acknowledge we can't keep everybody out," he said.
An eighth-grade student allegedly sent death threats to the White House from Kings High School last year via an e-mail message through a pre-selected, authorized site.
In that case, filtering wouldn't have made a difference, officials have said.
All students, K-12, have Internet access in a very "controlled setting," Mr. Bell has said.
