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701 VIDEOTAPING ON SCHOOL BUSES

Revised: May 11, 2011 A. Purpose The transportation of students to and from school is an important function of the school district and transportation by the school district is a privilege and not a right for an eligible student. The behavior of students on the bus is a significant factor in the safety and efficiency of school bus transportation. Student misbehavior increases the potential risks of injury. Therefore, the school district believes that video recording student passengers on the school bus will encourage good behavior and, as a result, promote safety. The purpose of this policy is to establish a school bus video recording system. B. General Statement of Policy 1. Placement a. Each and every school bus owned, leased, contracted, and/or operated by the school district shall be equipped with a fully enclosed box for placement and operation of a video camera and conspicuously placed signs notifying riders that their conversations or actions may be recorded on tape. b. A video camera will not necessarily be installed in each and every school bus owned, leased, contracted, and/or operated by the school district, but cameras may be rotated from bus to bus without prior notice to students. c. Video cameras will be placed on a particular school bus, to the extent possible, where the school district has received complaints of inappropriate behavior. 2. Use of Video Recording a. A video recording of the actions of student passengers may be used by the school district as evidence in any disciplinary action brought against any student arising out of the students conduct on the bus. b. A video recording will be released to the public only in conformance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minn. Stat Ch 13 and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 USC 1232g and the rules and/or regulations promulgated thereunder. c. Video recording will be viewed by school district personnel on a random basis and/or when discipline problems on the bus have been brought to the attention of the school district. d. A video recording will be retained by the school district, until relouped or until the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings in which the video recording is used for evidence.

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