The School Committee
works to maintain a safe and secure environment for its students, staff,
visitors, and facilities. Security means more than having locks and
making certain that doors are locked at the proper times. Security also means
minimizing fire hazards, reducing the possibility of faulty equipment, keeping
records and valuables in a safe place, protection against vandalism and
burglary, the prosecution of vandals, and developing crisis plans.
School facilities and
their contents, constitute one of the
greatest investments of the community. The School Committee believes it to be
in the best interest of students and taxpayers for the district to exert every
reasonable means to protect the investment adequately.
In pursuit of this
objective, the School Committee authorizes the use of security cameras in
school district buildings and on its property to ensure the health, welfare and
safety of all students, staff, and visitors, to deter theft, vandalism, and other
negative behavior, to safeguard district buildings, grounds and equipment, and
to monitor unauthorized individuals in or on school property. Security cameras
may be used in locations as deemed appropriate by the Superintendent of Schools
in consultation with school officials as well as local law enforcement and
emergency response agencies. They may be used in any area, inside or outside of
school buildings where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.
The district shall
notify students and staff through student and employee handbooks and
appropriate signage that security cameras have been installed and may be used
at any time. Students or staff identified on security cameras in violation of
School Committee policies will be subject to disciplinary action.
The Superintendent
shall ensure that proper procedures are in place and are followed regarding
use, viewing, disclosure, retention, disposal and security of video recordings
or photographs from security cameras in accordance with applicable laws and
regulations. A video recording used for security purposes in school district
buildings and/or on school property shall be the sole property of the school
district. All video recordings will be stored in their original format and
secured to avoid tampering and to ensure confidentiality in accordance with
applicable laws and regulations. Access to video recordings from security
cameras shall be limited to school administrators (Superintendent/designee,
School Principal/designee). Law enforcement and emergency response
officials shall be granted access to video recordings or the security system
after giving prior notice to the School Superintendent/designee.
The Superintendent
may, from time to time, issue further guidance that is consistent with current
laws and this policy.
SOURCE: MASC