BOARD POLICY - 3515

The Governing Board is committed to providing a school environment that promotes the safety of students, employees, and visitors to school grounds. The Board also recognizes the importance of protecting district property, facilities, and equipment from vandalism and theft.

Surveillance Systems

The Board believes that reasonable use of surveillance cameras will help the district achieve its goals for campus security. In consultation with site administration and relevant staff, the Superintendent or designee shall identify appropriate locations for the placement of surveillance cameras. These appropriate areas may include but are not limited to hallways, playgrounds, stairwells, parking lots, and other common areas of the campus or facility.

Cameras shall not be placed in areas where students, staff, or community members have a reasonable expectation of privacy. These areas include bathrooms, locker rooms, private offices, and other areas on campus or facility where reasonable expectation of privacy is expected.

No surveillance equipment installed on district property shall be equipped to capture or record sounds.

(cf. 5145.12 - Search and Seizure)

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that signs are posted at conspicuous locations on campus and district facilities that have implemented surveillance systems. These signs shall inform students, staff, and visitors that surveillance may occur and shall state whether the district's system is actively monitored by school personnel and public safety agencies.

The Superintendent or designee shall also provide written notice to students and parents/guardians about the district's surveillance system, including district campuses and facilities where surveillance may occur. The written notice shall explain that live and/or captured video activity may be shared with public safety agencies and that school personnel may use captured activity in student disciplinary proceedings. Captured activity on the district’s surveillance system that are criminal or suspected criminal in nature may be referred to law enforcement, as appropriate.

(cf. 5144 - Discipline)

(cf. 5144.1 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)

To the extent that any images from the district's surveillance system create a student or personnel record, the Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the images are accessed, retained, and disclosed in accordance with law, Board Policy, administrative regulation, and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

(cf. 4112.6/4212.6/4312.6 - Personnel Records)
(cf. 5125 - Student Records)
(cf. 5125.1 - Release of Directory Information)

Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
32020 Access gates
32211 Threatened disruption or interference with classes
32280-32288 School safety plans
35160 Authority of governing boards
35160.1 Broad authority of school districts
38000-38005 Security patrols
49050-49051 Searches by school employees
49060-49079 Student records

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
Article 1, Section 28(c) Right to Safe Schools

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
1232g Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

COURT DECISIONS
New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985) 469 U.S. 325

ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS
83 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 257 (2000)
75 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 155 (1992)

Management Resources:

CSBA PUBLICATIONS
Protecting Our Schools: Governing Board Strategies to Combat School Violence, 1999

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Safe Schools: A Planning Guide for Action, 2002