Audie and Video Recording Policy

Audio and Video Recording Policy #5063:  

5063

Audio and Video Recording 

Students, staff, parents/guardians, and patrons should assume that any class or activity in the school may be recorded by the school district for legitimate educational purposes.  There is no reasonable expectation of privacy within classrooms, common areas of the school building or on school grounds outside of the building.  Recordings permitted pursuant to this policy may only be used for authorized purposes and may not be republished without additional, written consent from a school administrator.  For purposes of this policy “recording” includes still photographs, video, audio, and other similar data captured in any medium.

Secret Recordings.  No person is permitted to make surreptitious recordings on school grounds unless authorized by the superintendent.

Recordings Made by The District.  The district may use cameras or other devices for purposes of making security, safety, or other recordings when such recordings are deemed necessary or appropriate by an authorized representative of the district.  The district will not maintain recordings unless the recording is purposefully copied and saved.  Any recording not copied and maintained separately may only be accessible by the authorized representative for a limited time. Recordings made by the district may be destroyed by an authorized representative at any time unless retention is required by law.

Recordings Made by Parents/Guardians and Patrons.    Parents/guardians and patrons may make recordings of school activities in a non-disruptive manner including things like athletic contests and school board meetings to the extent permitted by law unless otherwise lawfully restricted by the administration.  Parents/guardians or patrons may not make recordings if they are volunteering or visiting school during the school day without permission of the administration or supervising staff member and subject to this policy, such as recording their child’s classroom activities or recess.  Violation of this policy may be grounds for exclusion from school property, loss of volunteer privileges, or other restrictions deemed appropriate by the administration.

Recordings Made by Staff.  Staff members may make recordings of classroom instruction, student behavior or performance, and school activities without prior administrative approval only for legitimate educational purposes.  Staff members may not make secret recordings while on duty, even if those recordings do not violate state or federal criminal or privacy laws.  Staff members who violate this provision may be subject to consequences up to termination for classified staff and cancellation of contract for certificated staff.

Recordings Made by Students.  This policy applies to students during the school day on school grounds; when being transported to and from school activities or programs in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by a school being used for a school purpose by a school employee or by his or her designee; or at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event.  Students may make recordings of school activities in a non-disruptive manner including things like athletic contests and other extracurricular performances to the extent permitted by law.  Students generally are not permitted to record classroom instruction or members of the school community during the school day without the express consent of a staff member or as required by the student’s education plan.  Student use of assistive technology that has the capacity to record and/or transmit recordings (e.g. AngelSense) must be approved by the student’s education team or administration.  Students remain subject to all other district policies and rules.  In no event shall recordings be taken or made in restrooms, locker rooms, or other areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Adopted on: _________________________

Revised on: _________________________

Reviewed on: ________________________

Students and their parents or guardians should assume that any class in which students are enrolled may be recorded by the school district or other students for legitimate educational purposes. Recordings permitted pursuant to this policy may only be used by students for personal academic purposes and may not be republished without additional, written consent from a school administrator. For purposes of this policy “recording” includes still photographs, video, audio, and other similar data captured in any medium. 

Recordings Made by The District. The district may use cameras or other devices for purposes of making security, safety, or other recordings without a specific purpose or for a specific purpose when such recordings are deemed necessary or appropriate by the administration. The district will not maintain the recordings unless the recording is purposefully copied and saved, and the recordings will only be available for review for a limited time based on the district’s then-current recording capacity. The district administrators estimate that this is approximately 30 days but may change at any time. 

Classroom Recordings by Staff. Staff members may make audio and video recordings of classroom instruction and school activities upon authorization of the superintendent or supervising administrator. 

Prohibited Recordings by Students. Unless otherwise authorized by this policy or law, students are prohibited from making audio or video recordings during the school day on school grounds; when being transported to and from school activities or programs in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by a school being used for a school purpose by a school employee or by his or her designee; or at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event, unless the recording is made in a manner permitted by the school for members of the public. In such an instance, the students remain subject to the district’s appropriate use and student discipline policies. For example, this policy does not prohibit students from making recordings of an athletic event for their personal use similar to a parent or other patron, subject to other applicable board policy. However, this policy generally prohibits students from using smart- speakers or other devices which actively or passively create or transmit audio or video recordings, including Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomePod, and AngelSense devices.

Permitted Classroom Recordings by Students. Students may make audio or video recordings of classroom lectures or discussions: 

(1) For their convenience after providing notice to the classroom teacher and receiving the teacher’s permission; 

(2) For the benefit of another student who is absent after providing notice to the classroom teacher and receiving the teacher’s permission; 

(3) If recording is necessary to accommodate the student’s disability and is required by the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. 

Staff may revoke permission to record if the recording distracts from or disrupts the classroom environment, unless the recording is necessary to accommodate a student’s disability. 

Permitted Non-classroom Recordings. Students may make audio or video recordings otherwise prohibited by this policy outside the classroom only with the permission of a teacher or school administrator, provided that such recordings otherwise comply with any applicable state and federal laws and district policy. In no event shall photographs or video recordings be taken or made in restrooms, locker rooms, or other areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. 

Revised on: 14 July 2021