Program expanding that monitors Wake students' devices for suspicious behavior

The Wake County Public School System is expanding its pilot program for Gaggle -- a digital tool that monitors students' devices for suspicious behavior​, and a tool that is taking off statewide, thanks to funding from the North Carolina General Assembly.

At the time, several local groups opposed the policy, arguing that students were legally entitled to privacy.

After piloting the program at Knightdale High School, the district has expanded it to Willow Springs High, Neuse River Middle, Holly Grove Middle, Buckhorn Creek Elementary and Knightdale Elementary. It expands to holly Springs High on Monday and will begin use at Lake Myra Elementary later this month.​​

The district is using funds recently appropriated by the North Carolina General Assembly in its new state budget. Lawmakers set aside $5 million in funds for Gaggle, specifically, and another $16 million for monitoring student devices and Internet activity to prevent suicide and cyberbullying.

Proposed Wake policy would let officials monitor use of school Internet, school devices

State data show $3.5 million has already been allocated to North Carolina schools for Gaggle grants. Another $14.5 million has already been sent to schools for the other monitoring program.

A North Carolina Department of Public Instruction spokeswoman told WRAL News that 74 of the state's 115 school districts and 78 charter schools have taken the Gaggle funding. A total of 108 school districts 115 charter schools.

WRAL News asked school districts in our coverage area for contracts for monitoring student activity and found several in our area are using Gaggle, including Vance and Hoke counties' school districts.