Policy CEA - School Safety: Video and Audio Surveillance
Policy CEA- School Safety Plan: Video & Audio Surveillance (PDF)
Issue Date: August 5, 2014
Updated: October 23, 2024
District Security
Video and/or audio recording devices may be used to monitor the health, safety, and welfare of all students, staff, and visitors to district property and to safeguard district facilities. Such recordings may be stored as evidence of unsafe, disruptive, and/or illegal behavior and may become part of a student record, a personnel file, and/or a legal proceeding. The superintendent or his/her designee shall ensure the secure storage of these records against tampering and according to the district’s record retention schedule.
Notification
The district administration shall notify staff and students through student/parent and personnel handbooks that video/audio surveillance may occur on district property. The district may also provide notification through the posting of such notice at the main entrances of all district buildings and property, and on all buses in which video/audio surveillance may occur.
Access to Cameras
Security cameras shall be accessible by local law enforcement officers according to protocols which shall be established in consultation with local law enforcement
Utah Code § 53G-8-805(3) (2024)
Access to Recordings
Surveillance recordings will be released to the public only in conformance with applicable GRAMA provisions. In addition, the content of the surveillance recordings used as evidence in or investigation of specific student matters constitute student records, which are confidential and protected under FERPA. When a surveillance recording kept in a student matter shows multiple students, then whether those students or their representatives may access the recording shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. The content of surveillance recordings used as evidence or in investigation of specific personnel matters are private records under GRAMA.
Staff and students are prohibited from tampering or otherwise interfering with the surveillance equipment and records. District administrative staff may review surveillance recordings to verify the occurrence of disruptive, unsafe, and/or illegal behavior. Parents or legal guardians shall only be allowed to view material that concerns their child in relationship to an alleged incident. Requests to inspect video/audio surveillance recordings must be made in writing.
The District Transportation Supervisor, Building Administrator, and/or the Superintendent’s designee shall review all recordings that may be created from surveillance equipment on district vehicles.
If the record becomes the subject of a disciplinary proceeding, it shall be treated like all other evidence in the hearing as confidential and protected. Viewing of such records shall only be permitted at school-related sites including the transportation office, school buildings, or district office. All viewing will include the building principal or his/her designee.