5131.11 - Video Cameras on School Buses

Students

5131.11 - Video Cameras on School Buses

The Board of Education (Board) recognizes the district’s continuing responsibility to maintain and improve discipline, and to ensure the health, welfare and safety of its staff and students on school transportation vehicles.

After having carefully weighed and balanced the rights of privacy of students and staff with the district’s duty to ensure discipline, health, welfare and safety of staff and students on school transportation vehicles, the Board supports the use of video cameras on school transportation vehicles.

Video cameras may be used to monitor student behavior on school transportation vehicles transporting students to and from school and school activities.

Students in violation of district conduct rules shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with established Board policy and administrative regulations governing student conduct and discipline.

The use of video recordings from surveillance equipment shall be subject to the other policies of the district including policies concerning the confidentiality of student and personnel records. The district shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws related to the use, retention, and access to video recordings.

The Superintendent shall develop procedures for the notification of staff, students, parents and others as necessary pertaining to the use of video cameras on school transportation vehicles and such other procedures as may be required for the implementation of this policy.

Legal References:

Connecticut General Statutes

10-221 Board of Education to prescribe rules

Federal law

Title I – Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (PL105-17)

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Policy Adopted: March 28, 2013

Policy Revised: August 10, 2023

R 5131.11

Video Cameras on School Buses

Student Records

1. The district will comply with State and federal law regarding student records including the Family Education and Privacy Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as applicable, in the district’s use and retention of video recordings (“Recordings”). Recordings considered for retention as a part of a student’s school record will be maintained in accordance with established procedures governing access, review and release of student records and in accordance with Board Policy 5125, Confidentiality and Access to Student Records and other applicable board policies.

2. The district will include notice in parent/student handbooks that video and audio cameras (“Cameras”) may be used on school transportation vehicles transporting students to and from curricular and extracurricular activities. The district will include, as a part of its notice procedures, a copy of the district’s Camera policy and procedures to all students and parents. A separate notice will be sent to students and parents prior to the initial activation of the Cameras.

3. Students should assume that the Cameras are in operation at all times.

4. A notice shall be posted on each bus equipped with a Camera indicating that Cameras are on board and that the Cameras produce both video and audio recordings. Such notice will be posted in a conspicuous location.

Storage/Security

1. Recordings, and all copies thereof, will be stored and secured to ensure confidentiality.

2. After a period of thirty (30) days, Recordings will be erased unless otherwise identified to be preserved by the school administration.

3. Recordings held for review of student incident will be maintained in a digital format pending resolution. The Recording will then be either released for erasure or retained as necessary in accordance with state and federal law as a part of the student’s record.

Use

1. Cameras will be used on school transportation vehicles as determined by the transportation supervisor/Superintendent or his/her designee.

2. Students are prohibited from tampering with or otherwise interfering with video camera equipment.

3. The operators of the buses (i.e., the bus company) are required to notify the drivers and outside parties who use the school district buses that audio and video recording will occur on the buses.

Viewing Requests

1. Requests for viewing Recordings will be limited to the appropriate vehicle driver, transportation supervisor, school administrator, parent or guardian or student 18 or older or others as deemed appropriate by the principal. Requests for viewing by parties other than those listed herein will only be granted as may otherwise be required by law.

2. Requests for viewing shall be made in writing to the principal within seven school days of the date of recording.

Video and Audio Recording on School Buses

1. Requests for viewing will be limited to those parents or guardians, students, district officials, employees, and drivers with a direct interest in the proceedings as deemed appropriate by the principal.

2. Only the portion of the Recording concerning a specific incident(s) will be made available for viewing; nature and extent of permissible viewing of a Recording shall be in accordance with state and federal law including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

3. Approval/denial for viewing will be made in writing within no more than seven school days of receipt of request and so communicated to the requesting individuals(s).

4. Recordings will be made available for viewing within no more than five school days of the request approval.

Viewing

1. Actual viewing will be permitted at school related sites only, including the transportation office, schools, district office or as otherwise required by law.

2. All viewing will include the transportation coordinator and/or a school administrator.

3. A written log will be maintained of those viewing Recordings including date of viewing, reason for viewing, the date the recording was made, the specific vehicle and driver recorded, and the signature of the viewer.

4. Recordings remain the property of the district and may be reproduced only in accordance with law, applicable district student and personnel records policies and procedures, and applicable labor agreements.

Regulation Approved: August 10, 2023