ECAF Video Surveillance on School Property

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

The Board authorizes the use of video surveillance cameras for the purpose of enhancing school safety and security. The Board’s goals are to foster a safe and secure teaching and learning environment for students and staff; to promote public safety for members of the community who visit the schools or use school facilities; and to protect facilities and property. Video surveillance cameras may be placed at the entrances to school buildings and other school facilities, in parking lots, and in other areas on school grounds. Video surveillance cameras may also be placed in areas of common use within buildings, including but not necessarily limited to, school foyers, hallways, corridors, libraries, gymnasiums, and the school office. Video surveillance cameras will not be placed in bathrooms, locker rooms, private offices, or other locations where the Superintendent determines that users have a reasonable expectation of privacy, except as permitted by law.

Video surveillance cameras may be used for the following purposes: A. To investigate suspected violations of Board policies, school rules, or other inappropriate conduct; B. To monitor activities on school property to protect safety and to enforce Board policies, school rules, and the law; and C. By law enforcement to address school safety issues or to investigate possible criminal behavior.

The installation and placement of video cameras must be approved by the Superintendent.

Notices will be posted at public entrances to school buildings and in other conspicuous locations on school property informing persons that the buildings and grounds are monitored by security cameras. A notice that video recording may take place will be posted on each school bus.

The Superintendent, building principal and others designated by the Superintendent may review video surveillance camera recordings for school-related purposes. The Superintendent or building principal may authorize other school employees to view recordings if there is a legitimate educational or operational reason to do so.

Video surveillance recording used for student disciplinary reasons will only be disclosed as authorized by the Family Educational Privacy Act (FERPA) and in accordance with Board policy. Parents/guardians of a student (or a student 18 years of age or older) may, upon request, view the portions of a recording used as a basis for disciplinary action against that student. Such viewing will be conducted in the presence of the building principal and in a manner that does not violate the confidentiality rights of other students.

Law enforcement personnel may review video surveillance camera recordings, when available, to investigate criminal conduct.

All video surveillance camera recordings will be stored in a security location to ensure confidentiality. Recordings will be retained for no more than 30 days, except in cases where there is a request from law enforcement or a court, or when recordings are needed for investigation or resolution of a disciplinary matter; in such cases the recording will be maintained until it is no longer required to resolve the matter.

Adopted: April 29, 2024