906 USE OF VIDEO CAMERAS ON SCHOOL PREMISES AND SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

The board supports the use of video cameras on school premises and school transportation as a means to monitor and maintain a safe environment for students and employees.  The video cameras may be used on school premises, including inside and/or outside school buildings; may be operated during school hours and/or during non-school hours; and may be operated on school vehicles used for transportation to and from school and school activities.  Video recordings of student and/or employee activity on school premises and/or while using school transportation may be used as evidence in a student and/or employee disciplinary proceeding.

Student Records

A video recording of student activity on school premises and/or while using school transportation may be a student record subject to board policy and administrative regulations regarding confidential student records.  Only those persons with a legitimate educational purpose may view a video recording of a student on school premises and/or using school transportation.  In most instances, those individuals with a legitimate educational purpose may be the superintendent, building principal, activities director, facilities director, transportation director, bus driver, and special education staffing team.  A video recording made during a school activity and/or in a classroom during a class may also be accessible to the sponsor of the activity and/or the teacher of the class.  A video recording made during a school-sponsored trip, such as an athletic event, may also be accessible to the sponsor or coach of the activity.  If the content of the video recording becomes the subject of a student disciplinary proceeding, it will be treated like other evidence in the proceeding.

Employee Records

A video recording of an employee’s activity on school premises and/or while using school transportation may be an employee record subject to board policy and administrative regulations regarding confidential employee records.  Only those persons with a legitimate disciplinary and/or investigatory purpose may view a video recording of an employee on school premises and/or using school transportation.  In most instances, those individuals with a legitimate disciplinary and/or investigatory purpose may be the superintendent and any other person who supervises the employee and/or is involved in investigating and/or evaluating the employee’s performance and/or conduct.

Notice

The school district will annually provide the following notice to students and parents:

The Tipton Community School District Board of Directors has authorized the use of video cameras on school district premises and video cameras and audio recording equipment on school district transportation.  The video cameras and audio recording equipment will be used to monitor and record student behavior to maintain order on school premises and school transportation and to promote and maintain a safe environment.  Students and parents are hereby notified that the content of the video and audio recordings may be used in a student disciplinary investigation and/or proceeding.  The content of the video and audio recordings may be confidential student records and may be retained with other student records.  Video and audio recordings may be retained if necessary for use in a student disciplinary investigation and/or proceeding or other matter as deemed necessary by the administration.  Parents may request to review video and audio recordings of their child if the video and audio recordings are used in a disciplinary proceeding involving their child.

The school district will annually provide the following notice to employees:

The Tipton Community School District Board of Directors has authorized the use of video cameras on school district premises and video cameras and audio recording equipment on school district transportation.  The video cameras and audio recording equipment will be used to monitor and record employee behavior to maintain order on school premises and school transportation and to promote and maintain a safe environment.  Employees are hereby notified that the content of the video and audio recordings may be used in an employee disciplinary investigation and/or proceeding.  The content of the video and audio recordings may be confidential employee records and may be retained with other employment records.  Video and audio recordings may be retained if necessary for use in an employee disciplinary investigation and/or proceeding or other matter as deemed necessary by the administration.  Employees may request to view video and audio recordings involving them if the video and audio recordings are used in an employee disciplinary investigation and/or proceeding involving them.

The following notice will be placed on all school premises and/or school buildings equipped with a video camera:

This area and/or building is equipped with a video monitoring system.

The following notice will be placed on all school transportation equipped with a video camera and audio recording equipment:

This vehicle and/or bus is equipped with a video monitoring system and audio recording equipment.

Review of Video and Audio Recordings

The school district will review video and audio recordings randomly or when necessary as a result of an incident reported by a school employee or student.  Video and audio recordings may be recirculated for erasure after approximately thirty (30) days.

The review of video and audio recordings is limited to the individuals having a legitimate educational purpose and/or a disciplinary and/or investigatory purpose.  A written log will be kept of those individuals reviewing video and audio recordings stating the time, name of individual viewing, and the date the video and/or audio recording was viewed.

Video and Audio Monitoring Systems

Video cameras may be used as follows: used on some school premises; used at all school buildings, at a select number of locations within each school building; used on all school district buses; and/or used on other school vehicles, not including school buses.  Audio recording equipment may be used as follows: used on all school buses and/or used on other school vehicles, not including school buses.

The determination of how video cameras and audio recording equipment will be used and the location of the video cameras will be made by the superintendent in consultation with the building principals and transportation director.

Student and Employee Conduct

Students and employees are prohibited from tampering with the video cameras and/or audio recording equipment at any location.  Students and employees found in violation of this regulation will be disciplined in accordance with all applicable school district disciplinary policies and rules, and will reimburse the school district for the cost of any repairs or replacement necessary as a result of the tampering.

 

Approved:  June 2016                                                                     Reviewed:    5/10/2021                                                     Revised:  July 2016