The Wapello Community School Board authorizes the use of video surveillance equipment on
school district property, school vehicles, and school contracted vehicles to ensure the health,
welfare, and safety of all staff, students, and visitors to district property and/or passengers in
district contracted or authorized vehicles and to deter inappropriate behavior. Cameras will also
be utilized to safeguard district facilities and equipment, as well as equipment owned by staff or
students.
In dealing with the surveillance of students and employees, the Board recognizes both its
obligation to provide appropriate levels of supervision in the interest of safety and the fact that
students and employees have privacy rights that are reduced but not eliminated while under the
supervision of the school. Thus, video surveillance, like other forms of supervision, must be
carried out in a way that respects privacy rights.
A video recording is subject to provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
(FERPA).
Use
Video surveillance cameras may be used to monitor and/or record in locations authorized by the
school principal of the officials of the school district. Public notification signs must be
prominently displayed, indicating the use of video surveillance. The district shall also notify
staff and students through student/parent and staff handbooks that security cameras are in place
within district property.
Camera Placement
The security camera system will be installed in public areas only. These areas include school
buses, grounds, athletic areas, exterior entrances or exits to school buildings, and large gathering
spaces such as classroom corridors, cafeteria, lobby, and main entries. Restrooms, changing
rooms, private offices, nurse’s offices, and locker rooms are excluded from surveillance camera
use. Security camera usage is prohibited in any space where there is a reasonable expectation for
privacy.
Security
Only a designated employee or agent of the school district will install surveillance cameras.
Only designated school officials shall have access to the camera equipment and operations
system. For the purposes of this policy, school officials are the Superintendent or his/her
expressly authorized designees. Only these school officials shall handle the camera or copies of
video segments. Video copies shall be stored in a secure area. Video copies may never be sold,
publicly viewed or distributed in any other fashion except as approved for by this policy and/or
relevant legislation. Law enforcement personnel may review camera recordings, when available,
to investigate criminal conduct.
Viewing of Video Recordings
Video monitors used to view video recordings should not be located in a position that enables
public viewing. Video recordings may only be viewed by school administrators, school officials,
or school staff members with a direct involvement with the recorded contents of the specific
video recording or employees or agents responsible for the technical operations of the system
(for technical purposes only). Parents may submit a written request to view video recordings that
pertain only to their children in relation to a disciplinary issue, but the viewing may be approved
only if it does not violate the privacy of other students (see next paragraph).
Use of Video Recordings for Disciplinary Action
Video recordings may be used as a basis for student or employee disciplinary action. Video
surveillance recordings involving students are considered to be educational records under
FERPA. Therefore, consent must be given in order to disclose information contained on video
recordings obtained through video surveillance, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes
disclosure without consent. Viewing may be refused or limited where viewing would be an
unreasonable invasion of a third party’s personal privacy, give rise to a concern for the safety of a
third party or where protected from disclosure by law. All viewing requests must be submitted in
writing.
Retention of Video Recordings
A copy of a video recording shall be made when an incident results in a long-term suspension, a
student injury, or there is a prospect of a legal claim against the district. The copy of the video
recording shall be sent to the Superintendent or designee to be kept in a secure location. If a
recording is used in the making of a decision about a student or employee, the recording must be
kept for a minimum of one year, unless earlier erasure is authorized by or on behalf of the
individual or the relevant appeals periods have expired.
Video recordings shall be maintained for no more than 30 days and then erased unless they are
being retained as indicated in the preceding paragraph or at the request of the school principal.
The district shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws related to record maintenance
and retention.
Review
Each school principal is responsible for the proper implementation and control of the video
surveillance system. The Superintendent of Schools or designee shall conduct an annual review
to ensure that this policy and procedures are being followed.
Approved: 10/24/22
Reviewed:
Revised: