VIDEO CAMERAS ON SCHOOL BUS

STUDENTS                                                                                                                     5131.3

VIDEO CAMERAS ON SCHOOL BUSES

The Portsmouth School Committee recognizes the district's continuing responsibility to maintain and improve discipline, and ensure the health, welfare and safety of its staff and students on school transportation vehicles.

The School Committee, after having carefully weighed and balanced the rights of privacy of students and drivers/monitors with the district's duty to ensure discipline, health, welfare and safety of staff and students on school transportation vehicles supports the use of video cameras on its transportation vehicles.

Video cameras may be used to monitor student behavior on school transportation vehicles.  Such equipment may also be used to monitor the performance of transportation related employees in the fulfillment of their duties on school transportation vehicles.

Students in violation of district conduct rules shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with established School Committee policy and administrative regulations governing student conduct and discipline.   Transportation related employees shall be subject to established School Committee personnel policies, administrative regulations and labor agreements including provisions related to evaluation, discipline and dismissal.

The School Department shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws related to video recordings when, as determined by the district and in accordance with law, such recordings are considered for retention as a part of the student's behavioral record.  Such records will also be subject to established district student records procedures including access, review and release of such records.

The Superintendent shall develop procedures for the notification of staff, students, parents and others as necessary of the use of video cameras on school transportation vehicles and such other procedures as may be required for the implementation of the policy.

Policy Adopted:                                                       Portsmouth School Committee

January 11, 1994                                                     Portsmouth, Rhode Island

 to Policies