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1004.2 - Use of Recording Devices on District Property

The board supports the use of recording devices on district property as a means to monitor and maintain a safe environment for students and employees. District property includes district-owned land, buildings, vehicles, buses, and any other property as needed. The contents of the recordings may be used as evidence in a student or employee disciplinary proceeding. Determination of how recording devices will be used will be made by the superintendent in consultation with the building principals and the transportation manager.

STUDENT RECORDS: The contents of the recordings are considered confidential student records and are subject to federal and state laws, board policy, and administrative regulations regarding confidential student records. Generally, recordings that do not capture any specific incident are not considered student records or personnel records and may be disclosed as a public record upon request. Only those persons with a legal basis or legitimate educational purpose may view the recordings. In most instances, individuals with a legitimate educational purpose may be the superintendent, building principals, transportation manager, bus drivers, classroom teachers, human resources director, and the Special Education staffing team. A parent may inspect, review, or be informed of the content of a recording without consent from any student or parent of a minor student also shown in the recording, whether the student is a bystander to an incident or directly involved. The district may, but is not obligated by law to, provide a copy of a recording to a parent or student upon request.
 
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 district will provide the following notice to students, employees, and parents on an annual basis:
 
The Linn-Mar Community School District Board of Directors has authorized the use of recording devices on school district owned property. The recording devices will be used to enhance safety and security withing the educational environment. Students, employees, and parents are hereby notified that the content of the recordings may be used in student or employee disciplinary proceedings. Contents of the recordings are confidential student records and will be retained with other student records. Recordings will only be retained, if necessary, for use in student or employee disciplinary proceedings or other matters as determined necessary by the administration. Parents may request to view the recording of their child.

The following notice will also be placed on all school transportation equipped with recording devices: This vehicle is equipped with a recording/audio monitoring system.

REVIEW OF RECORDING DEVICES: The school district will review recordings, when necessary, as a result of an incident reported by a student or employee. The recordings may be recirculated for erasure after 7 days.

If not public records, the view of recordings is limited to individuals having legitimate educational purposes. A written log, as appropriate, may be kept of those individuals viewing the recordings that states the time, name of individual viewing the recording, and the date the recording was viewed.

STUDENT CONDUCT: Students are prohibited from tampering with recording devices on school property. Students found in violation of this regulation will be disciplined in accordance with the district’s discipline policy and good conduct rule and will reimburse the district for any repairs or replacements necessary as a result of the tampering.

EMPLOYEE CONDUCT: District-generated recordings may be used as evidence in employee disciplinary matters, as appropriate. Employees are prohibited from tampering with recording devices on school property. Employees found to be in violation of this regulation will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the employee handbook and relevant board policies.


Adopted: 9/21
Reviewed: 7/22
Related Policy (Code#): 502.1; 502.5; 502.5-R1-R3; 701.2; 701.2-R1-R2
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): 20 USC 1232; §§ 279.8
IASB Reference: 804.6; 804.6-R1