The District is committed to nurturing a safe, caring, and positive environment. In order to provide for the personal safety and security of students, staff, and patrons while on District property and while attending District functions, as well as to protect District property, the Board of Education supports the use of video surveillance on school property, including the surveillance of vehicles, in accordance with guidelines established by the administration. The Superintendent will designate the site principal or department administrator who will be responsible for managing and auditing the site use and security of video surveillance cameras. This policy is expected to encourage individuals to demonstrate respect for themselves, for others, and for their surroundings. 

General Procedures

Video surveillance devices may monitor school buildings, vehicles, and grounds. Video surveillance shall not include audio recordings, with the exception that school buses may be equipped with audio/visual recordings. Video surveillance may be placed in areas to monitor the safety and security of students, staff, and patrons and where surveillance has proven to be necessary as a result of threats, prior property damages, or other security incidents. 

The site principal or department administrator designated by the Superintendent shall be responsible for managing and auditing the site use and security of video cameras, monitors and electronic images. Only the site principal/department administrator or individuals designated by the site principal/department administrator shall be permitted access to the video monitors or be permitted to operate the video system controls.

The District shall inform students, staff, and parents/guardians that the District will be conducting video surveillance on school property and explain the purpose for such surveillance.

The recording of actions of students, staff, and others may be reviewed or audited for the purpose of determining adherence to federal and state law, Board of Education policies, as well as District and school rules. The District may use video surveillance to detect, report, and/or deter criminal offenses.

The District may monitor video surveillance and recordings from such surveillance to assure the safety and security of students, staff, and patrons. If deemed appropriate by the administration, further actions may be taken by the District as a result of video surveillance activities, including but not limited to disciplinary actions and reporting evidence of crimes to appropriate authorities. Disclosure of video records shall be done on a “need to know” basis. 

Copies of video records that have been used for any of the purposes of this policy shall be numbered, dated, and retained according to the camera site. When a copy of the video record is accessed or viewed, a log will be maintained that lists the date, place, names of the individuals accessing or viewing the video records, and the reason(s) for viewing the video records. 

The site principal or department administrator designated by the Superintendent ensures digital video records on a hard drive are maintained for a minimum of seven days and may be recorded over after this time. An incident-related copy of a video record may be recorded, and such copy of a video record is maintained for one year after it is created. After one year has expired, the copy of the video record shall be destroyed unless good cause exists not to destroy the video record at that time. A copy of the video record not destroyed after one year shall be destroyed once there is no longer good cause to continue to maintain it.

Covert Surveillance

Covert surveillance shall be handled with appropriate care and sensitivity. This policy is designed to clarify the grounds upon which covert surveillance may be used as a tool to gather information concerning serious matters relating to students, employees, and others while on school property. However, nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the District’s ability to use covert surveillance to the extent permitted by law.

As a general matter, the use of covert surveillance shall be a restricted practice requiring the approval of the Superintendent or designee. At the conclusion of each covert surveillance investigation, a confidential written report will be made to the Superintendent regarding the outcome of the investigation and what action, if any, resulted as a consequence of the investigation.

Approved by the Board of Education November 2003

Revised May 2017

Revised May 2024