Policies
Middletown Public Schools No. 3600
Video Surveillance on School Transportation Vehicles Policy
VIDEO SURVEILLANCE ON SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES
I. Purpose
The Middletown School Committee recognizes the Middletown School Department’s responsibility to maintain order, discipline, safety, and security of its staff and students on school transportation vehicles. The School Committee also desires to afford students and staff privacy in respect to records maintained by the School Department. The School Committee recognizes the value of electronic surveillance systems in monitoring activity in school vehicles to protect the health, welfare, and safety of its students and staff.
II. Policy
The School Committee, having carefully weighed and balanced the rights of privacy of students and staff against the School Department’s duty to maintain order, discipline, safety, and security on school transportation vehicles, finds that it is appropriate to provide for the use of video camera surveillance in its transportation vehicles as follows:
1. The School Department shall notify its students, parents/guardians, and staff that video surveillance may/will occur on any transportation vehicle. The School Department shall incorporate said notice in such places as, but not limited to, student and staff handbooks. In addition, a prominent notice is placed in each transportation vehicle stating, “This vehicle is equipped with a video monitoring system. Your conversations and/or actions may be recorded.”
2. The use of video surveillance equipment on transportation vehicles shall be supervised by the Superintendent or their designee.
3. The School Committee, the Superintendent, or their designee, may use video surveillance for any legitimate educational or operational purposes, including but not limited to:
a. Monitoring and protecting School Department property from vandalism or theft;
b. Fostering the safety and security of students, staff, and the public; c. Cooperating with specific law enforcement inquiries and proceedings where doing so complies with state and federal law; and,
d. When warranted, investigating and/or remediating specific student or staff disciplinary situations.
4. Students in violation of School Department conduct rules shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with established School Department policy and administrative regulations concerning student conduct and discipline.
5. Staff shall be subject to established School Department personnel policies, administrative regulations, and collective bargaining agreements, including provisions related to evaluation, discipline, and dismissal.
6. The use of video recordings from surveillance equipment shall be subject to other policies of the School Department, including policies concerning the confidentiality of student and personnel records. Video recordings considered for retention as part of a student’s record will be maintained in accordance with established student record procedures governing their access, review, and release.
7. Surveillance videotapes shall be maintained by the transportation company for the School Department to have access for two weeks, after which time the tapes may be recycled. If a tape becomes evidence in any kind of disciplinary proceeding or litigation or if a recording otherwise takes on a status that would require a longer retention period, the recording must be retained until all actions have been resolved.
1st Reading – March 21, 2019
2nd Reading and Approval – June 27, 2019
Review - December 18, 2025
3 Year Review Due - December 2028