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NO. 816
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EASTON AREA
SCHOOL DISTRICT
SECTION: OPERATIONS
TITLE: VIDEO MONITORING SYSTEMS
ADOPTED: May 27, 2010
REVISED:
816. VIDEO MONITORING SYSTEMS
1.
Purpose
The Board strives to fulfill the district’s moral responsibility to ensure the safety of its
students and employees as well as protect school property and school vehicles. The
Board recognizes the value of video monitoring systems as a means to deter individuals
from engaging in acts of violence or vandalism on school district property.
The purpose of this policy is to authorize the use of video monitoring systems in
furtherance of the district’s efforts to protect school property and the health, safety, and
welfare of students and employees. When using video monitoring systems, the district
must balance its need to protect persons and property with the privacy rights of
students and employees.
2. Definition
For the purpose of this policy, the term video monitoring systems shall mean fixed or
portable cameras that record video images, monitors on which images are viewed, and
equipment on which images are recorded.
3. Authority
SC 510, 511,
1317, 1318
4. Guidelines
This policy is approved in accordance with the authority of the School Board and
designated school administrators and employees pursuant to Sections 510, 511,
1317, and 1318 of the School Code.
Balancing the right of privacy of students and staff against the district’s duty to
maintain order and discipline, the Board deems it appropriate to provide for the use of
video monitoring systems in its transportation vehicles and on school grounds.
The following guidelines shall govern the use of video monitoring systems:
1.
The district shall notify its students and staff that video monitoring systems may
be used on any school property or on any transportation vehicle. The district
shall incorporate said notice in the student handbook.
2.
The use of video monitoring systems on transportation vehicles shall be
supervised by the district transportation supervisor. The use of video monitoring
systems on school grounds and on other district property shall be supervised
and controlled by the building administrator or other responsible administrator.
3.
The use of video recordings from monitoring equipment shall be subject to
other policies of the district, including policies concerning the confidentiality of
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Policy 216, 324,
424, 524
18 Pa. C.S.A.
Sec. 5703
student and staff records. Video recordings should only be used as an aid in the
investigation of an incident and possible evidence in a disciplinary or legal
proceeding if requested for that purpose.
4.
Video monitoring shall only be used to promote the order, safety and security of
students, staff and property.
5.
The district shall post signs in conspicuous places to notify the public that video
monitoring systems are used to protect school property, students and
employees. The purpose of those signs is to notify the public that they do not
have a legitimate expectation of privacy in their actions or communications
when present in those monitoring areas.
6.
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that building principals and the
transportation supervisor develop written procedures for the storage, use and
dissemination of video images obtained from the district’s video monitoring
systems. Those procedures shall reflect that:
a.
No video image shall be stored or maintained in excess of thirty (30) days
unless it is being maintained for use as evidence in a disciplinary matter,
legal proceeding, or as directed by the Superintendent.
b.
Video images shall only be disseminated to determine: (1) if an individual
depicted in the video image violated school rules or has knowledge of any
such violation; (2) to report suspicious or criminal activity to law
enforcement officials; or (3) to allow the Superintendent or designee to
consult with third parties as deemed necessary.
c.
Disclosure of information shall be consistent with federal and state laws
such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. (FERPA).
Camera Location, Operation, and Control:
1.
Cameras shall only be installed in identified public areas, except as otherwise
provided in this policy. Only authorized personnel shall have access to the
surveillance equipment. Unauthorized tampering with or disabling of video
cameras or other related equipment would subject an employee to immediate
dismissal without progressive discipline. Video monitors will be positioned in
such a way as to avoid public viewing.
2.
Cameras shall not be positioned in areas where individuals have a legitimate
right to expect privacy, i.e. washrooms, change rooms, and staff rooms.
Additionally, outside cameras shall not be directed towards private non-district
property.