804.6- Use of Recording Devices on School Property

804.6- Use of Recording Devices on School Property

Code No.  804.6

USE OF RECORDING DEVICES ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

District-Generated Recordings

The district believes in the importance of providing a safe and enriching learning environment possible for its students.  The district uses digital recording devices on school property including school transportation vehicles to help protect the safety of district students, employees and community members; and to safeguard district property which is funded using public resources.  Additionally, district-generated recordings of students engaging in the district’s educational and extracurricular programs can be essential to engage positively with the school community and promote the value of public education.

In order to balance privacy and safety interests, no recording devices will be utilized on district property where individuals maintain a reasonable expectation of privacy.  These areas include but are not limited to: the school nurse’s office, restrooms, locker rooms, changing areas, lactation spaces and employee break areas.

Recordings of students have the potential to be considered education records.  Any recordings will be maintained and accessed in compliance with the requirements of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act and the district’s policy on student records. 

Recordings will be digitally maintained and stored for an appropriate amount of time to maintain the safety of the educational environment and to safeguard district property, after which they will be destroyed.  The superintendent or superintendent’s designee will establish any necessary regulations related to the secure storage, maintenance, viewing and destruction of digital recordings.

Non-District Generated Recordings

The use of non-district owned recording devices on school property and at school events will be regulated.  Students, parents and community members will not be permitted to take recordings of other students or employees during school hours unless the recording is authorized in advance by building administration.  Students and employees found to violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary measures consistent with board policy and applicable student and employee handbooks.  This policy will not be construed or enforced in a way that infringes on employee activity otherwise protected by law. 

It is important to foster a community spirit and sense of unity within the district.  However, the district acknowledges that not every student or staff member feels comfortable or safe being recorded.  At district-sponsored extracurricular events and activities, the use of non-district owned recording devices by the public may be monitored by administration if a concern is made known to district administration by a student, employee or parent.  Any individuals determined to be making recordings considered bothersome to students or staff may be asked to stop or destroy their recording and may be asked to leave the event. 

 

Legal Reference:           20 USC 1232

                                    Iowa Code §§ 279.8

 

Cross Reference: 506.01 Education Records Access

                      506.01-R(1)       Education Records Access - Regulation

                      506.01-E(1)        Education Records Access - Request of Nonparent for Examination or Copies of Education Records

                    506.01-E(2)        Education Records Access - Authorization for Release of Education Records

                      506.01-E(3)        Education Records Access - Request for Hearing on Correction of Education Records

                      506.01-E(4)        Education Records Access - Request for Examination of Education Records

                      506.01-E(5)        Education Records Access - Notification of Transfer of Education Records

                      506.01-E(6)        Education Records Access - Letter to Parent Regarding Receipt of a Subpoena

                      506.01-E(7)        Education Records Access - Juvenile Justice Agency Information Sharing Agreement

                      506.01-E(8)        Education Records Access - Annual Notice

                      711.02               Student Conduct On School Transportation

                      711.02-R(1)       Student Conduct On School Transportation - Regulation

Approved 12/19/2022  

Reviewed 05/15/2023                          

Revised 12/19/2022

bbolsinger@edg… Wed, 12/28/2022 - 10:15

804.6R1- Use of District Owned Recording Devices on District Property Regulation

804.6R1- Use of District Owned Recording Devices on District Property Regulation

Code No.  804.6R1

USE OF DISTRICT OWNED RECORDING DEVICES ON DISTRICT PROPERTY REGULATION

The board supports the use of recording devices on district property as a means to monitor and maintain

a safe environment for students and employees. District property includes district-owned land, buildings, vehicles, buses and any other property as needed. The contents of the recordings may be used as evidence in a student or employee disciplinary proceeding.

Student Records

The content of the recordings may be a student record subject to federal and state law, board policy and administrative regulations regarding confidential student records. Generally, surveillance video that does not capture any specific incident is not a student record or personnel record and may be disclosed as a public record upon request. Only those persons with a legal basis or legitimate educational purpose may view the recordings. In most instances, individuals with a legitimate educational purpose may be the superintendent, building principal, classroom teacher, transportation director, bus driver, HR director and special education staffing team. A parent may inspect, review or be informed of the content of the recording without consent from any student or parent of a minor student also shown in the recording, whether the student is a bystander to an incident or directly involved. The district may, but is not obligated by law to provide a copy of a recording to a parent or student upon request. 

A recording 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 recording becomes the subject of a student disciplinary proceeding, it will be treated like other evidence in the proceeding.

Notice

The school district will annually provide the following notice to students, employees, and parents:

The Edgewood-Colesburg Community School District Board of Directors has authorized the use of recording devices on school district owned property. The recording devices will be used to enhance safety and security within the educational environment. Students, employees, and parents are hereby notified that the content of the recording may be used in a student or employee disciplinary proceeding. The content of the recordings may be considered confidential student records and will be retained with other student records. Recordings will only be retained if necessary for use in a student or employee disciplinary proceeding or other matter as determined necessary by the administration. Parents may request to view the recording of their child.

The following notice will also be placed on all school buses equipped with recording devices:

This building/bus is equipped with a recording /audio monitoring system.

Review of Recording Devices

The school district will review the recordings

If not public records, the viewing of the recordings is limited to the individuals having a legitimate educational purpose. A written log, as appropriate, may be kept of those individuals viewing the recordings stating the time, name of individual viewing and the date the recordings was viewed.

Student Conduct

Students are prohibited from tampering with the recording devices on the school property. 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.

Employee Conduct

District-generated recordings may be used as evidence in employee disciplinary matters, as appropriate. Employees are prohibited from tampering with recording devices on school property. Employees found to be in violation of this regulation will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the employee handbook and relevant board policies.

See IASB Policy Primer, August 8, 2011

LEGAL REFERENCE                 Iowa Code  § 279.8                                    

CROSS REFERENCES

  506.1        Education Records Access

506.1R1   Education Records Access - Regulation

506.1E1    Education Records Access - Request of Nonparent for Examination or Copies of Education Records

506.1E2    Education Records Access - Authorization for Release of Education Records

506.1E3    Education Records Access - Request for Hearing on Correction of Education Records

506.1E4    Education Records Access - Request for Examination of Education Records

506.1E5    Education Records Access - Notification of Transfer of Education Records

506.1E6    Education Records Access - Letter to Parent Regarding Receipt of a Subpoena

506.1E7    Education Records Access - Juvenile Justice Agency Information Sharing Agreement

506.1E8    Education Records Access - Annual Notice

711.2        Student Conduct On School Transportation

711.2R1   Student Conduct On School Transportation - Regulation

Adopted: 12/19/2022

Reviewed: 05/15/2023

Revised:  12/19/2022

bbolsinger@edg… Wed, 12/28/2022 - 10:18