VIDEO CAMERAS ON BOARD SCHOOL BUSES
POLICY NO: 7710 DATE: 2002-03-26 REVISED:
SUBJECT: VIDEO CAMERAS ON BOARD SCHOOL BUSES
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The Board recognizes that the videotaping of
students and drivers on board school buses can be useful in promoting safety
and minimizing disputes. The Board also
recognizes that the videotaping of students and drivers is a matter of
sensitivity; therefore, the Board believes the use of video cameras on board
school buses should be governed by strict policy guidelines and should only be
carried out where circumstances have shown that it is necessary to ensure
safety, order and discipline, including prevention of vandalism.
On board videotaping is to be conducted only for the purpose of promoting bus
safety and discipline. Videotaping is
not to be conducted for any other purpose.
SCHOOL
DISTRICT NO. 78
(FRASER-CASCADE)
REGULATIONS NO: 7710 R DATE: 2002-03-26 REVISED:
SUBJECT: VIDEO CAMERAS ON BOARD SCHOOL BUSES
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The School District will advise students and parents that a videotape camera
system is in place in the District's school buses. On any bus equipped for video camera operation, one or more
decals advising that a camera system is in place will be prominently displayed
on the interior of the bus. The bus
driver will also advise students verbally.
On any route where the regular assigned bus has been equipped for video
camera operation, parents will be advised by bulletin prior to the camera being
utilized. Notices will include contact
information for the Transportation Supervisor as the person who can answer
questions about the operation of the surveillance system.
2. Storage of Tapes
Videotapes shall be removed from the bus immediately after completion of the
bus run. Videotapes shall be stored in
a locked filing cabinet within the bus garage office or at the contractors
place of business.
Videotapes shall not be edited or selectively erased. Videotapes are to be kept intact until totally erased or
destroyed.
3. Viewing of Videotapes
Monitors for viewing videotapes shall not be located in a position that enables
public viewing.
Any parent or legal guardian is entitled to view a videotape which includes his
or her child/children. Students may view
segments of tape relating to themselves if they are capable of exercising their
own access to information rights under the Freedom of Information and
Protection of Privacy Act. A student,
parent or guardian has the right to request an advocate to be present. Viewing may be refused or limited where
viewing would be an unreasonable invasion of a third party's personal privacy,
would give rise to a concern for a third party's safety, or on any other ground
recognized in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Page 2 7710
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Viewing will take place
only at the bus garage or at the school on appointment with the appropriate
School District officials.
Videotapes shall not be shown to anyone other than School District staff, or the
parents/guardians of the students involved, or the students themselves. Among
School District staff, only those employees with a direct involvement with the
recorded contents of the specific videotape shall be permitted to view it.
4. Retention of Videotapes
Videotapes shall be erased within ten (10) working days unless: they are being
retained at the request of the Transportation Supervisor, driver or
parent/student for documentation related to a specific incident, or sent to the
Board's insurers.
Tapes retained shall be erased as soon as the incident in question has been
resolved, except that if the tape has been used in the making of a decision
about an individual, the tape must be kept for a minimum of one year as
required by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act unless
earlier erasure is authorized by or on behalf of the individual.
Where an incident raises a prospect of a legal claim against the School Board,
the tape, or a copy of it, shall be sent to the School Board's insurers.
5. Review
The Transportation Supervisor is responsible for the proper implementation and
control of the video surveillance system.
The Secretary-Treasurer shall be responsible for conducting a review at least
annually to ensure that this policy and procedures are being adhered to and to
make a report to the School Board.
6. Improper Use
Video monitoring is to be restricted to the uses indicated in this policy. The Board will not accept the improper use
of video surveillance and will take appropriate action in any cases of wrongful
use of this policy.