FILE: IDDFC
CAMERAS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS
Orleans Parish School Board will consider the installation and operation of cameras that record both video and audio in special education classrooms, in accordance with State law and administrative procedures established by the Superintendent and subject to the availability of specific funding for such purpose.
For purposes of this policy, classroom shall mean a self-contained classroom or other special education setting in which a majority of students in regular attendance are provided special education and related services and are assigned to one or more self-contained classrooms or other special education settings for at least fifty percent (50%) of the instructional day and for which a parent or legal guardian has requested a camera to be installed. Classroom shall not mean special education classrooms and other special education settings where the only students with exceptionalities receiving special education and related services are those who have been deemed to be gifted or talented and have not been identified as also having a disability.
The Superintendent shall establish administrative procedures to implement this policy and designate an administrator to be responsible for coordinating implementation.
Parental/legal guardian requests for cameras may be made at any time and shall be made in writing as set forth in the School Board’s administrative procedures. A request for audio/video cameras remains valid for a period of one school year.
The School Board shall ensure/provide:
Proper location and placement of cameras. The recording of the interior of a restroom or any area designated for students to change or remove clothing shall be prohibited.
Written notice of the placement of the cameras shall be provided to persons who enter a classroom where a camera is installed, including teachers and other school employees, students in the classroom, the students' parents and legal guardians, and authorized visitors.
Training concerning the provisions of this policy for any teacher or other school employee who provides services in a classroom where cameras are installed.
Procedures for proper retention, storage, and disposal of the video and audio data recorded. Recordings shall be retained for at least one (1) month from the recording date, unless there is an outstanding request for viewing of the recording. No one has a right to obtain a copy of a recording except that a copy will be released at the request of the student’s parent or guardian in a legal proceeding.
Protection of student privacy and development of procedures for determining to whom and under what circumstances the recordings may be disclosed including:
Limiting viewing of the recordings to the Superintendent or his/her designee and the parent or legal guardian of a recorded student upon request.
Requiring any person who views a recording and who suspects the recordings show a violation of state or federal law to report the suspected violation to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Procedures for the approval or disapproval of a request for the installation and operation of cameras in a classroom.
Procedures regarding how a parent or legal guardian may request to review a recording, under what circumstances a request may be made, and any limitations to a request.
Procedures regarding how a parent or legal guardian may request the installation and operation of cameras in his child's classroom.
Recordings made pursuant to this policy shall be confidential and shall not be subject to public records requests. However, the recordings may be viewed by the Superintendent or his/her designee, the parent or legal guardian of a recorded student, or by law enforcement officials as part of an investigation regarding suspected violations of State or federal laws. Continual monitoring of recordings is prohibited. Standing or on-going requests for viewing recordings are not authorized. School District personnel or contractors whose job duties involve installation, operation, or maintenance of the audio/video equipment or the retention of the recordings shall have access to the equipment and recordings only to the extent necessary to fulfill their assigned responsibilities.
The recordings shall not be considered "personally identifiable information" as defined in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:3914.
The School Board is authorized to accept, administer, and make use of federal, state, and local funds, any public and private grants and donation, and when appropriate, to accept nonmonetary resources in the form of services or equipment for use in connection with the installation and operation of audio/video cameras as described in administrative procedures. The use of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds and State special education funds to implement the requirements of this policy is prohibited.
Adopted: November 17, 2022
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:1948.
Board minutes, 11-17-22
Orleans Parish School Board