Earlier today, the RI ACLU issued a report that slammed Portsmouth — among other school districts — for overly broad web filtering policies, a charge that school officials have both challenged and promised to investigate further.

Portsmouth Superintendent Lynn Krizic said that this was not a matter of district policy. "[I]t is the IT team that oversees the filtering/opening of sites in the district," said Krizic, referring all questions to Director of IT Rose Muller. "She is the best person to explain why we are only one of two districts blocking this site as well as some of the other categorical sites you reference. She is also the person who would be able to share what factors affect our ability to make some sites accessible to students and staff."

Reached by telephone, Muller questioned the ACLU claims. She told harddeadlines that she had checked the settings on the district's web filtering software and tested sites in the categories the ACLU report names. Muller said she "could not find any place we're blocking them."

Muller suggested reaching out to the ACLU to understand on what basis the researchers identified these categories, and I've sent them a query.

Portsmouth School Committee Chair Dave Croston promised to investigate. "I will promise students and parents that we will review these policies immediately. It is unacceptable to me that important content is inaccessible to our students."

He also expressed support for the IT department. "I want to commend our incredible IT staff; and, I know they will be eager to analyze and recommend changes."

Croston indicated that he takes this issue very seriously. "The Portsmouth School Committee embraces diversity in religion, orientation, and cultures. And, we pride ourselves in our transparency. We will publicly post the revised policy clearly for all to see. I will raise the ACLU report in my Chair's comments tomorrow night."

Editorial note: I'll post updates as they come in.