Several parents and community members urged the North Penn School District Board of School Directors on March 11 to install surveillance cameras in special-education classrooms and to make investigation records public following recent violent incidents.

The most vocal advocates asked the board to begin a formal conversation about camera installation and to provide cost estimates and an implementation plan. "The safety and security of our children must always be the top priority," said Isabella Freer, a parent who said she has lived most of her life in the district. Beatrice Culbertson, another Montgomery Township resident and parent, cited a 2023 bus-aide abuse case as an example and warned that without classroom cameras "it's your word versus mine."

Supporters said cameras would help protect nonverbal and otherwise vulnerable students who may be unable to report abuse, and would provide documentation to protect staff from false allegations. Freer told the board cameras would "not be live streamed," and that footage should be reviewed only when necessary, mirroring policies already used for buses and cafeterias.

Board and district response

Superintendent Dr. John Bauer (acting superintendent) thanked parents for raising the issue and said the district has been meeting with stakeholders. "To the parents that spoke about cameras in the classrooms, thank you for advocating for your students and for students at large," Bauer said. He said a meeting on the topic "is on the books right now for next week" and that he has already met with district officials to continue the conversation.

Bauer also reviewed recent steps the district took after the Pembroke Middle School incident last year, saying a third-party investigator had been contacted and other actions listed in an April 2024 communication had been completed. He said the district had scheduled listening sessions, provided professional development, and arranged student and community forums.

What supporters asked for

Speakers requested that the board:
- Open discussion about a district-wide policy for cameras in special-education classrooms and produce cost estimates and an implementation timeline; and
- Release more information about past investigations, with redactions as required by FERPA, so the community can see findings while protecting student privacy.

Beatrice Culbertson said more than 850 community members had signed a petition in support of cameras within two weeks and urged the board to "explore cost estimates and plan for implementation."

Board did not vote

No board vote or policy change occurred during the meeting. Instead, district leaders and board members offered to continue discussions in a planned meeting and to follow up with parents after the meeting. Superintendent Bauer said some parents had begun discussions with administration and that those conversations would continue.

Why this matters

Advocates argue that cameras would create transparency and protect students who cannot easily report abuse; opponents and some parents have raised privacy concerns. The request also intersects with the district's obligations under FERPA and state open-records rules, which speakers raised as part of their calls for the release of investigation records.

Next steps

Superintendent Bauer said a follow-up meeting is scheduled and invited parents and staff to continue the conversation. The board did not set a public timetable for final recommendations or policy changes at the March 11 meeting.