Board approves Focus Hall Pass after debate over digital tracking and training

The Wentzville R‑IV Board of Education voted Feb. 20 to approve the Focus School Software Hall Pass agreement after a contentious discussion about digital tracking and staff training.

Board members asked for assurances about what data the system records and how teachers, students and parents would be trained. One motion to table the agreement until the May regular meeting failed on a 3–2 vote, after which a subsequent motion to approve the agreement passed 4–2 on a roll call.

Why it matters: Board members said the software could help staff know where students are during the day and assist with supervision; opponents said the tool creates a digital record of student movements that some view as an unnecessary tracker of habits. The contract’s approval sets the district on a path to implement the system and prompted requests for detailed privacy and training plans.

What the board said: Members who voted to approve emphasized operational benefits including teacher notification and improved accountability when students leave classrooms. Members who opposed the motion cited community opposition, privacy concerns and the chance that a future board might rescind the program — making training expenditures premature.

Administration response: District staff said the item would include training for school staff and that the vendor does not provide GPS tracking. The board asked administration to supply a training schedule and privacy/data-use clarifications before implementation.

Next steps: Administration was tasked to provide a training plan and privacy protections to the board and to schedule implementation steps, including teacher training and system rollout.