District 192 is set to reconsider data privacy policy Posted 7/13/01 by Aaron Tinklenberg Staff Writer In almost every way, the Internet has become a useful tool for schools around the country, including those in Farmington. On school and district Web sites parents can find information about upcoming events, fans can find game times and scores and students can find out whatís for lunch. Unfortunately, as much as the Internet acts as a positive information source for district residents, it is as easily accessed by persons with less honest intents. In Dakota County alone, there are three cases of Internet stalking currently under investigation. So, to be sure students are protected from would-be criminals, District 192 is reviewing its data privacy policy, particularly concerning information published on its Web site and broadcast on its cable television shows. ìWith board meetings being televised and so much information being put on the Internet, we felt there might be issues with data privacy,î District Technology Director Rosalyn Pautzke said. ìWe need to review our practices and see if any changes should be made.î Although it is not official policy, the district has not been publishing studentsí first and last names on the Internet. Images of students are published only with parental consent. ìSchools used to put everything they could on the Web, but that doesnít happen anymore,î Pautzke said. ìI think that procedurally we do a good job, but this is a new media and brings new considerations.î At a Personnel Committee meeting last week, Pautzke recommended maintaining those guidelines for kindergarten through ninth-grade students. For students in grades 10 and higher, Pautzke suggested permitting the publication of names unless otherwise requested by parents. School Board Chair Jerry Wacker, however, pointed out that there have been many cases of Internet-initiated sexual abuse or assault involving high school-aged students. ìI think weíve seen that high school students are just as likely to be victimized as younger students,î he said. Pautzke and members of the Personnel Committee recognized the complexity of the issue, noting that student names are regularly printed on athletic programs and student images are regularly broadcast when a concert is televised. According to Pautzke, creating a stricter policy would mean procuring releases from parents for any such event. The committee asked staff and administration for recommendations on specific language changes to give the board an opportunity to look at the options and ramifications as a package. ìIíd rather see us err on the side of being too protective,î committee member John Kampf said. ìWe can always back off if we feel itís necessary.î Community concerns regarding stalking of students was heightened earlier this year when Richard Charles Stevens was charged with stalking gymnasts at Henry Sibley High School. Though Stevens was not using the Internet to learn about students, Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said he has seen a few cases of Internet stalking. ìI would urge caution with identification of students,î Backstrom said. ìThe vast majority of people use the Internet for legitimate purposes. Unfortunately, some people do it for their own illicit behaviors.î ©Thisweek Newspapers