PSS to install censorship software

The Public School System will install blocking softwares in public school computers that would filter materials “deemed inappropriate for minors” such those found in pornography and hate websites, a PSS federal program officer said yesterday.

Bill Matson, fiscal officer and federal program coordinator for PSS, said the installation of the blocking software is a requirement set by the filtering legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, which seeks to regulate the federal government’s telecommunication subsidy program for all public schools in all states and territories.

The Safe Schools Internet Act, passed by the US House last Friday, complements the Federal Communication Commission’s Universal Service (E-Rate) Program, which provides that the federal government would shoulder 80 percent of communications costs, including Internet and phones bills, of every public school in the US.

The Safe Schools Internet Act provides that education agencies and public schools that accept E-rate money are mandated to install the blocking software in their computers to prevent students from reaching pornography and “hate” sites.

It says that “no universal service assistance may be provided for any school or library unless it provides certification of filtering or blocking of material deemed to be inappropriate for minors.”

“We expect this to become law in a few months. So, we have to have something in place. now instead of trying to catch up or scramble to put it in place only when it’s already a law,” Matson said.

Matson said PSS, which benefits from the universal funding program, is completing the documents required by FCC.

“Last week, we had communication with the feds confirming that they are giving us allocation,” Matson said.

Matson said PSS might have to shoulder the cost of purchasing the software because such requirement is “an unfunded mandate.”

“We don’t know how much the software costs, but the E-rate program will bring us $80,000 a year [savings] from reduced communication costs” Matson said.

“We don’t think the software will cost that much. We want to do this for our kids anyway.”

At any rate, Matson said PSS hopes that the federal government would eventually reimburse the schools for the software purchase.