Caddo Parish School Board postpones drone policy; sends measure to security and buildings & grounds committee

The Caddo Parish School Board heard detailed questions about a proposed policy that would restrict drone flights over district property and clarify approval, insurance and enforcement procedures, then referred the draft to the security and buildings & grounds committees for additional vetting.

Board member Umling asked whether the drone policy had been reviewed by a committee before being placed on the agenda. "When did this go to committee for vetting?" Umling asked. Staff and legal counsel responded that the draft had been added to the agenda for board consideration and that the policy contained a detailed permitting process and enforcement options.

As staff described the draft, the document lists potential penalties for violations: "Any person who violates this policy may be subject to the following penalties, immediate removal from property and prohibition from future access, confiscation of the drone by school board personnel or local law enforcement, referral to local law enforcement for potential criminal charges, for students disciplinary action ... for employees disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment," the staff presenter read during the meeting.

Board members raised enforcement and constitutional questions, noting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates navigable airspace. "The FAA is only gonna get involved when it's over critical airport, federal buildings," a staff speaker said, adding that local law enforcement and sheriff's deputies would likely enforce district rules on school property.

After extended discussion, the board did not adopt the policy at the May 20 meeting. Instead members voted to send the draft to committee for further review; the board instructed staff to take the measure to the Security and the Buildings & Grounds committees and to return with refined language and enforcement guidance. Board members asked staff to clarify how the district would distinguish recreational small toy drones from larger devices that pose safety or privacy risks, and to devise training and an application process for approved flights.

What happens next: the draft policy will be refined in committee and brought back to the full board. Staff were asked to prepare clearer guidance on: permitted uses, the permit application process, insurance requirements and how enforcement would involve local law enforcement when necessary.

Sources: committee discussion and staff remarks recorded during the Caddo Parish School Board meeting, May 20, 2025.