Internet block concerns students

Oct. 20, 2006

By Michael Rovito

Frontiersman

PALMER - Recently released plans to block Web sites on Mat-Su School District computers - except those deemed appropriate by school officials - brought a swift response from some Colony High School students who expressed their concern during Wednesday's school board meeting.

Blake Kinsey, Colony's senior class president, gave a fiery speech in response to earlier comments by the district's director of Management Information Services, Marie Burton.

Burton, during a presentation to the school board, outlined what prompted the Internet block, saying she is not trying to limit students' access, but protect them from online predators and other dangers of today's World Wide Web.

She also said the district could be held liable if a student somehow is injured or put in a dire situation while online at school.

Colony students used a public comment session to disagree with the restrictions, many speakers calling them unnecessary and claiming blocked Web sites will hinder research.

Kinsey, using an example of researching the world's religions, said if the district only allowed sites billed as educational, smaller, lesser known sites that might be a good source of information would be unavailable.

&#8220Students don't want this level of control,” Kinsey said.

The argument spilled into the hallway after the public comment session ended, with Burton surrounded by Colony students as she defended the regulations and explained why they are necessary.

&#8220I expected that,” Burton said in a later telephone interview. &#8220I think they did a really good job.”

After nearly 30 minutes of debate, tempers seemed to fizzle after Colony students learned the Internet block is temporary while the Matanuska Telephone Association develops a new filter that officials hope will alleviate recurring problems with Web proxies.

Many students across the district, Burton said, know how to use the proxies to bypass the school's Internet connection, accessing sites by way of an outside connection.

Burton, who has been with the district since 1980, has been working with senior network account executive Dan Fleckenstein of MTA, and said estimates place the filter's arrival sometime near Christmas.

Fleckenstein was out of the office Thursday and unavailable for comment.

In a phone interview, Burton said she feels better knowing that, after the hallway meeting Wednesday, her staff and at least some students will be able to work together.

&#8220I feel really good they are going to work with us,” Burton said.

The group of students from Colony seemed to agree, saying they felt better now that they know the block is supposed to be temporary.

One student mentioned an abundance of rumors that circulated in district schools in the wake of news articles exposing the Internet blocks.

Burton said a dialogue between administration and students is exactly what is

needed.

There should be idea sharing instead of both groups acting as opposing teams, she said.