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Policies

Purpose

 

The Board recognizes the need to maintain proper standards of conduct for the safety of students who ride district buses and attend schools. All provisions developed under the Student Code of Conduct (Policy 218) are in force and govern student conduct in school, at bus stops, during the time spent in travel to and from school, during school activities, and any off-campus conduct that adversely affects the on-campus educational environment.

 

The use of a video/audio recording is intended to assist the administration, contractors and drivers in observing behavior, preventing violation of bus rules school rules, regulations, district policies and Pennsylvania law; and utilizing and/or dispensing such surveillance when required for disciplinary, civil and/or criminal matters.

 

Definitions

 

School bus means a motor vehicle that is designed to carry eleven (11) passengers or more, including the driver, and is used for the transportation of preprimary, primary or secondary school students to or from public, private or parochial schools or events related to such schools or school-related activities.[2]

 

School vehicle means a motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, designed for carrying no more than ten (10) passengers, including the driver, and used for the transportation of preprimary, primary or secondary school students while registered by or under contract to the school district. The term includes vehicles having chartered, group and party rights under the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and used for the transportation of school children.[2]

 

Authority

 

The Board authorizes the use of video and audio recording on school buses and school vehicles for disciplinary and security purposes.[3]

 

The Board prohibits the use of audio recording on any school bus or school vehicle that is not being used for a school-related purpose.[3]

 

Delegation of Responsibility

 

The Superintendent, or designee, shall be responsible for the oversight of the video system and video/audio media. The Superintendent, or designee, shall oversee routine procedures necessary to provide for videotaping of each bus and of each school.

 

Guidelines

 

The actual taping may include audio or video, or both.

 

Video/Audio recorders may be placed on any and all buses or schools. All students are subject to being videotaped on the school bus or at school at any time. Notification to parents/guardians will be made through school district publications, the district website, and visible notice on all buses or buildings equipped with audio language, providing notice that audio as well as video, inception is occurring on the bus and at district buildings.

 

The Superintendent, or designee, shall have the authority to determine the district’s monitoring needs.

 

The Superintendent, or designee, shall review the video/audio media randomly, as well as in response to alleged improper conduct. If no such incidents are reported, the video/audio media may be erased and recycled. If an incidence is detected on tape, the tape will be preserved.

 

Video/Audio media may be viewed only with the proper authorization of administrative personnel. All requests must be made through the Superintendent or designee.

 

The video/audio media are intended for use with respect to issues relating to safety and behavior on the bus and at school. Video/Audio media are not intended for general viewing by a student, employee, parent/guardian, or the public and shall not be made available for general viewing purposes; nor are the video/audio media intended to relieve bus drivers or other district personnel of their responsibilities for submitting disciplinary reports. Bus drivers and district personnel may view the video/audio media for the purpose of drafting conduct referrals, only with the Superintendent or designee in attendance.

 

In the event of use, or proposed use, of a video/audio media in connection with a disciplinary proceeding, confidentiality considerations shall be enforced. Only those relevant portions of the video/audio media shall be subject to review and/or admitted into evidence. The video/audio media may be subject to review and release, if duly requested by police, other members of law enforcement, or other individuals, pursuant to a subpoena or as required by law.

 

Staff and students are prohibited from tampering, or otherwise interfering with, video/audio media, camera equipment, and/or any records related to bus or school monitoring and/or this policy.

 

The district shall comply with the provisions of federal and state laws and regulations regarding student record requirements as applicable to the district’s use and disclosure of recordings. Recordings considered part of a student’s educational record shall be maintained in accordance with established student record procedures governing access, review and disclosure of student records.[1]

 

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