ECAF Security Cameras in Schools
SECURITY CAMERAS IN SCHOOLS
The School Committee works to maintain a safe and secure environment for its students, staff, visitors, and facilities. In pursuit of this objective, the School Committee authorizes the use of security cameras in school district buildings and on its property to ensure the health, welfare and safety of all students, staff and visitors, to deter theft, vandalism and other negative behavior, to safeguard district buildings, grounds and equipment, and to monitor unauthorized individuals in or on school property. Security cameras may be used in locations as deemed appropriate by the Superintendent of Schools in consultation with school officials as well as local law enforcement and emergency response agencies. Security cameras will be based on the presumption and belief that students, staff, and visitors have no reasonable expectation of privacy in public areas or when events occur in plain view of other students, staff, or visitors. Cameras shall not be used to monitor inside locker rooms or restrooms.
The district shall notify students, staff and the general public that video surveillance will occur on school property through the use of signage and notification in the student handbook. Signs will be posted in public entryways to the buildings informing persons that the buildings and grounds may be under video surveillance. Students or staff identified on security cameras in violation of School Committee policies will be subject to disciplinary action.
The Superintendent shall ensure that proper procedures are in place and are followed regarding use, viewing, disclosure, retention, disposal and security of video recordings or photographs from security cameras in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, as follows:
Access to video recordings from security cameras shall be limited to school administrators (Superintendent/designee, School Principal/designee).
A video recording used for security purposes in school district buildings and/or on school property shall be the sole property of the school district. The right to inspect such recordings is limited to school district personnel and as required by law.
Any type of activity detected through the use of video surveillance cameras that might constitute a violation of the law will be reported immediately to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Video recordings may be shown to law enforcement officials or emergency response officials by the school department, consistent with Federal and State law.
All video recordings will be stored in a secure location to avoid tampering and to ensure confidentiality.
Security camera visually recorded data (with the exception of those segments that constitute evidence for one of the aforementioned purposes) will be maintained for a maximum of 90 school days and then deleted. All such recordings shall be treated as confidential and shall not be released to individuals or agencies outside of the District except through subpoena or other court order requiring such release.
The Superintendent may, from time to time, issue further guidance that is consistent with current laws and this policy.
Approved by School Committee: 3/13/17