VIDEO CAMERA PROCEDURE
ON SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS' TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES
Video camera surveillance shall be used to promote order, safety and security of students, staff and property.
Video tapes will be removed from the buses each day and will be stored in a secure area under the control of the Director of Transportation to ensure confidentiality. These tapes will be stored for one week unless an incident report is received which indicates the tapes should be reviewed. Tapes will be erased and reused if no incident report is made.
When an incident report is filed with the Director of Transportation within four (4) days of the occurrence of the incident, the tape will be delivered to the principal for a scheduled viewing within five (5) school days. The principal will be required to sign for receipt of the tape and will return the tape by calling the Director of Transportation and arranging for a secured pickup. The delivery and return of the video tape must protect the confidentiality of the contents.
Submission of requests for viewing video recordings will be limited to the bus driver, transportation supervisor, school administrator, parent or guardian of the student(s) involved in an alleged incident, law enforcement officer, or others as deemed appropriate by the superintendent or designee. Initial requests may be made by telephone; however, no request will be granted until written documentation is provided to the Director of Transportation or Supervisor of Transportation.
Video recordings may be used as evidence in any disciplinary proceedings. Such monitoring is meant to supplement and not replace written reports prepared by school administrators or drivers. Video recordings held for review of incidents will be maintained in their original form pending resolution. Those considered for retention as part of a student's behavioral record will be maintained in accordance with established student record procedures governing access, review and release of student records. Any images of students recorded on video tapes are subject to the confidentiality accorded student records under applicable laws, board policies, and administrative procedures.
Additionally, video tapes may be viewed by the Director and /or Supervisor of Transportation to determine if the school bus is operated in a manner that is safe and is in compliance with state law and Shelby County Schools procedures. Review of a video recording may result in follow-up personnel actions which may include retraining, and/or disciplinary actions up to and including termination.
Actual viewing will be permitted only at school-related sites including transportation office, school buildings, or central administration offices. All viewing will include the transportation supervisor and /or the principal or designee. A written log will be maintained of those viewing video recordings including the date of the viewing, reasons for viewing, date the recording was made, vehicle videotaped, name of driver, name of those present at viewing, name of the person requesting the viewing and signature of those present at the viewing. Copies of all incident reports will be maintained for three (3) years.
Only designated staff under the direction of the Director of Transportation will change, handle, or view tapes while in the possession of the Transportation Department.
Staff and students are prohibited from tampering with or otherwise interfering with video camera equipment. Any such tampering or interference will be cause for appropriate disciplinary action.
Shelby County Schools will include a statement in student/parent handbooks that video cameras may be used on school vehicles transporting students to and from school and extracurricular activities.
Only the portion of the video recording concerning a specific incident will be made available for viewing.