VIDEO CAMERAS ON TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES

The school board recognizes its continuing responsibility to maintain order on school transportation vehicles to ensure the safety of staff and students. After carefully balancing the need for discipline and safety with students’ interests in privacy, the board supports the use of video cameras on school transportation vehicles. In an effort to reduce student behavior violations, the cameras may be used to monitor student behavior during transport to and from school and extracurricular activities and field trips. 

When the resulting video tapes are used as a basis for discipline, parents/guardians will be notified and given the opportunity to view the portion of the tape pertaining to the alleged violation. Students in violation of school discipline/conduct codes shall be dealt with in accordance with established board policy, administrative regulations, and established school practices. 

Notice of use of video cameras for disciplinary purposes in school transportation vehicles will be provided to all students, parents and staff in appropriate handbooks on an annual basis. Moreover, notice that video observation may take place will be posted in each transportation vehicle. 

Any recording used in a disciplinary proceeding will be retained as part of a student’s disciplinary record, being disposed of as other such documentation except when special circumstances warrant longer retention. In regard to such video recordings, the school will comply with all applicable provisions of state and federal law concerning student records. 

The Superintendent will be responsible for the development of administrative procedures regarding review of video recordings made on school transportation vehicles. Such regulations will provide for procedures for review when significant violations of the Student Code of Conduct occur. Procedures will also address the retention of video tapes, the security of video cameras and recordings, specifying the school official(s) to be responsible for purchase, installation, maintenance, and replacement of equipment, scheduling and placement of cameras on transportation vehicles, requests for viewing and any necessary follow-up. 

Cross Reference: JRA – Student Records 

Adopted: 1/23/2019