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Board grants county access to school surveillance video for emergency response; staff to audit use
Summary
Marion County School Board approved an MOU giving named county officials real‑time and recorded access to school surveillance feeds during emergency incidents, with district audits required; a board member voiced concern about disciplinary authority over outside employees with access.
Ocala — The Marion County School Board on June 10 approved a memorandum of understanding granting authorized personnel from the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office access to live and recorded video from school surveillance cameras for emergency use.
Mr. McFadden told the board the access will be restricted to clearly identified, authorized individuals and limited to emergency responses that require immediate assistance from law enforcement or fire personnel. He cited an example from November 2023 when a 911 call alleging an active shooter was reported and a supervisor was able to view campus cameras and determine the call was unfounded. The item passed on a 3–0 vote.
The MOU requires the Safe Schools department to perform regular and random audits of access and use. Doctor Lisonbee Campbell expressed concern that, if county or municipal employees misuse access, the district’s disciplinary remedies are limited because those employees do not work for the school board. She asked staff to be vigilant about misuse and noted that inappropriate access could warrant the highest discipline on the county side, but the district’s direct disciplinary authority is limited.
Board members noted the district will return with a similar MOU for the Ocala communications center. Officials said the agreement is intended to streamline emergency response and to reduce unnecessary tactical responses when camera evidence shows no active threat.
