The board supports the use of video/audio cameras on school transportation as a means to monitor and maintain a safe environment for students and employees. The video/audio cameras may be used on buses or other school vehicles used for transportation to and from school, field trips, curricular events and extracurricular events. The contents of the video/audio recordings may be used as evidence in a student or employee disciplinary proceeding.
Student and Employment Records
The content of the video/audio recordings may be a student or employment record subject to board policy and administrative regulations regarding confidential student and employment records. If the video/audio recording is considered a student record, only those persons with a legitimate educational purpose may view the video/audio recordings. In most instances, those individuals with a legitimate educational purpose may be the superintendent, building principal, transportation director, bus driver and special education staffing team. A video/audio recording recorded 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/audio recording becomes the subject of a student or employee disciplinary proceeding, it will be treated like other evidence in the proceeding.
Notice
The school district will annually provide the following notice to students and parents:
The South Tama County Community School District Board of Directors has authorized the use of video/audio cameras on school district buses. The video/audio cameras will be used to monitor student behavior to maintain order on the school buses to promote and maintain a safe environment. Students and parents are hereby notified that the content of the video/audio recordings may be used in a student disciplinary proceeding. The content of the video/audio recordings are confidential student records and will be retained with other student records. Video/audio recordings will only be retained if necessary for use in a student disciplinary proceeding or other matter as determined necessary by the administration. Parents may request to view video/audio recordings of their child if the video/audio recordings are used in a disciplinary proceeding involving their child.
The following notice will also be placed on all school transportation equipped with a video/audio camera:
This vehicle is equipped with a video/audio monitoring system.
Review of Video/Audio Recordings
The school district may review video/audio recordings randomly. The video/audio recordings may be recirculated for erasure after 10 school days.
Viewing of video/audio recordings is limited to the individuals having a legitimate educational purpose. A written log will be kept of those individuals viewing the video/audio recordings stating the time, name of individual viewing, and the date the video recording was viewed.
Video/Audio Monitoring System
Video/audio cameras will be rotated randomly on school district transportation.
Determination of how video/audio cameras will be used and which school buses or vehicles will be equipped with video/audio equipment will be made by the superintendent in consultation with the building principals and transportation director.
Student Conduct
Students are prohibited from tampering with the video/audio cameras on the school buses or vehicles. Students found in violation of this regulation will be disciplined in accordance with the school district discipline policy and Good Conduct Rule and will reimburse the school district for any repairs or replacement necessary as a result of the tampering.
(November 18, 2019)