8331 Authorized Use of Security Video Footage

The Board of Education authorizes the use of security cameras as a tool for recording activity on school property to further protect the health, welfare, and safety of students, staff, and visitors. The use of security cameras is a valuable deterrent to inappropriate behavior and is a significant factor in protecting assets.

The Board of Education designates the Director of School Safety to be responsible for controlling the cameras and maintaining the recordings.

 

Use of Information Collected

Security camera recordings may be used for inquiries and proceedings related to students, staff and law enforcement. Video used as evidence for law enforcement purposes may not be altered.

Videotape/film of students produced by security cameras on District property including on the school bus may be considered part of a student's educational record and therefore, viewing and any dissemination of a videotape must adhere to regulations of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and New York State Education Law §2-d.

Recording of athletic events, concerts and plays do not hold the same confidentiality because they are public events and, therefore, may be shown.

Even in public areas in school buildings, where there is no expectation of privacy, security cameras recordings in school facilities shall not have audio feeds, the only exception being school bus recordings which may have both video and audio components.

Camera Location, Operation and Control

Placement of security cameras is restricted to public areas. Cameras will not record areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy (e.g., locker rooms and restrooms).

Areas chosen for camera placement shall be where security is deemed necessary. Security cameras may be used for ongoing recording of building interior and exterior areas. These areas include, but are not limited to, parking lots, entrance and exit doors, and other specific interior areas identified by the principal that warrant recording. Several security cameras are located on the interior and exterior of school buses. Recordings on buses may include both video and audio.

The security camera system may be in operation virtually 365 days a year and 24 hours per day, however, video camera security may be suspended without notice by the Superintendent or Director of School Safety. The school building security cameras will typically be recording continuously in real-time. The school bus security cameras do not have live feed access, but are recording continuously while the bus is in service.

Protection of Information and Disclosure

A. Authorization and Disclosure

Only the Director of School Safety and the Assistant Security Director will have access to burn security video onto a physical storage/viewing device.

Local law enforcement may have immediate access to security camera video in the event of an emergency.
Security camera videos may be disclosed to school administrators for educational purposes, including discipline matters with approval from the Superintendent or Director of School Safety.
A request for video footage shall be made via written or email correspondence. A chain of custody will be maintained for all video requested.

If a video is used for disciplinary purposes, the video may be viewed by a student’s parents or by the student if the student is 18 or older if the video solely features the student. The parent or eligible student may not have a copy of the security camera video. When the video involves more than one student but will not be used for disciplinary purposes for the other students, the Director of School Safety will first attempt to remove or obscure the images (without destroying the meaning of the record) prior to making the video available for viewing by the student’s parents or student requesting it.

Unauthorized video disclosure may result in disciplinary actions.

B. Security and Retention of Recordings

Copies of security camera video preserved as evidence for student hearings will be made part of the student’s education record. Copies of recordings of incidents subject to investigations, court cases, or due process hearings must be retained until resolved.

C. Notifications

When security cameras are installed, signs shall be posted at the main entrance of the school building informing people that security cameras may be recording. Notices will be posted on the front interior of school buses.

 

D. Controlled Viewing

The video records shall be in a controlled access area, or a privacy screen should be utilized as needed to block public view of the video recordings. The Director of School Safety will maintain an up-to-date list of authorized personnel and their level of access to video surveillance system. Authorized personnel are not allowed to share their password or allow unauthorized personnel to view videos.

E. Law Enforcement Body Worn Cameras

The Board of Education works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies. Officers entering District property for community relations, training or other non-emergency purposes are to inactivate their body worn cameras. Officers entering District property due to an emergency or medical situation may leave their body worn cameras active. All body warn camera recordings on District property are to be disclosed to the Director of School Safety or designee at the earliest opportunity, as safety permits.

The Superintendent may make exceptions as needed.

 

Cross-ref:   

Policy 4526: Computer and Network Acceptable Use Policy
Policy 8330: Authorized Use of School-Owned Materials and Equipment

Legal Refs:

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1230, 1232 g, 34 C.F.R. Part 99, as amended.
New York State Education Law §2-d

                       

                                                                                                                       

Approved by Board of Education: 01/16/14
Revised approved by the Board of Education: 10/19/23

 

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