The board supports the use of recording devices on school buses as a means to monitor and maintain a safe environment for students and employees. The recording devices may be used on buses used for transportation to and from school, field trips, curricular events and extracurricular events. The contents of the recordings may be used as evidence in a student disciplinary proceeding.
Student Records
The content of the recordings is a student record subject to board policy and administrative regulations regarding confidential student records. Only those persons with a legitimate educational purpose may view the recordings. In most instances, those individuals with a legitimate educational purpose may be the superintendent, building principal, transportation director, bus driver and special education staffing team. A parent may view the recordings without consent from any student or parent of a minor student also shown in the recording if the other students are bystanders. But if there is an altercation between multiple students, then all parent s must give consent in order for the recordings to be viewed by parents.
A recording during a school-sponsored trip, such as an athletic event, may also be accessible to the sponsor or coach of the activity. If the content of the recording becomes the subject of a student disciplinary proceeding, it will be treated like other evidence in the proceeding.
Notice
The school district will annually provide the following notice to students and parents:
The Maquoketa Valley Community School District Board of Directors has authorized the use of recording devices on school district buses. The recording devices will be used to monitor student behavior to maintain order on the school buses to promote and maintain a safe environment. Students and parents are hereby notified that the content of the recording may be used in a student disciplinary proceeding. The content of the recording are confidential student records and will be retained with other student records. Recordings will only be retained if necessary for use in a student disciplinary proceeding or other matter as determined necessary by the administration. Parents may request to view the recording of their child if the recordings are used in a disciplinary proceeding involving their child.
The following notice will also be placed on all school buses equipped with recording devices:
This bus is equipped with a recording /audio monitoring system.
Review of Recording Devices
The school district will review the recordings (choose one of the following):
When necessary as a result of an incident reported by a bus driver or student. The recordings may be re-circulated for erasure after 7 days.
Viewing of the recordings is limited to the individuals having a legitimate educational purpose. A written log will be kept of those individuals viewing the recordings stating the time, name of individual viewing and the date the recordings was viewed.
Recording Monitoring System
Recording devices will be (choose one of the following):
Used on only a select number of school district buses.
Determination of how recording devices will be used and which school buses will be equipped with recording equipment will be made by the superintendent in consultation with the building principals and transportation director.
Student Conduct
Students are prohibited from tampering with the recording devices on the school buses. Students found in violation of this regulation will be disciplined in accordance with the school district discipline policy and Good Conduct Rule and will reimburse the school district for any repairs or replacement necessary as a result of the tampering.
