Berea City School District

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This notice is a requirement per Ohio Senate Bill 29 (“SB29”) that was passed by the Ohio General Assembly at the end of June 2024, was signed by Governor DeWine on July 24, 2024, and became effective on October 24, 2024. This legislation introduced new rules about how and when schools can access and monitor school-issued devices, and we want to ensure you are aware of these changes. Please be aware that the District, either directly or through a technology provider, is able to monitor all school-issued devices (as that term is defined by R.C. 3319.325). The monitoring can include the following features: student interactions with school-issued devices, including web activity and keystroke monitoring, and to prevent and respond to threats to life or safety. The District monitors these features for educational purposes of instruction, technical support, exam proctoring, and/or as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

What Does Senate Bill 29 Say About Monitoring Student Devices?

Under SB 29, schools and technology providers have the ability to access school-issued devices (such as laptops or tablets) under specific circumstances to ensure student safety and the appropriate use of technology. However, the bill also requires that families are promptly informed when such access occurs.

Key Points to Know:

1. Notification Requirement: If a school district or a technology provider accesses a student’s device, the school is required to notify the student or their parent/guardian within 72 hours. The notice must include:

1. A written description of the reason for accessing the device

2. Details about which features of the device were accessed (e.g., camera, microphone, browsing history)

3. A description of any potential threat that led to the access

2. Exception for Imminent Threats: In cases where immediate notification could pose a danger to the life or safety of students or staff, the school is allowed to delay the notification. In such cases, the school must notify the student or parent within 72 hours after the threat has passed.

Why Is This Important?

This policy aims to strike a balance between protecting students' safety and maintaining transparency about how school-issued devices are monitored. As schools continue to use technology to enhance learning, it's important to ensure both privacy and security are maintained. These monitoring provisions are designed to help safeguard students from potential online threats or misuse of school-provided technology while keeping you informed of any interventions.

What Can You Expect?

Should any school personnel or technology providers need to access your child’s device, you will receive a notification within 72 hours as required by SB 29. This notification will clearly explain:

• Why the device was accessed

• What action was taken

• What safety concern, if any, prompted the access

We want to assure you that any monitoring or access to student devices will only occur in accordance with the law and to protect student well-being.

Our priority is always the safety and privacy of all students, and we will continue to follow these guidelines responsibly. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your attention and ongoing support of our school community.

Sincerely,