Cleveland schools to seek contract options for stop‑arm cameras after presentation; board tables decision

The Cleveland City Schools Board of Education heard a detailed presentation on a proposed stop‑arm camera pilot from Hal Taylor and district staff, followed by questioning from board members and city police leadership. The board voted to table the matter pending contract review and options.

Hal Taylor described the system as “an AI enabled stop arm camera, school bus safety program” and showed local videos and pilot data. He said a short pilot on five buses in January documented 154 violations at 2,294 locations and argued that automated evidence would both educate drivers and provide enforceable citations that otherwise would be labor‑intensive to capture.

Taylor explained the vendor model: the company installs cameras and handles citation processing; the vendor retains a share of citation revenue (which company representatives described as roughly 60–65% of citation proceeds) while local law enforcement must review video to confirm violations. He said the vendor charges about $225 per month per outfitted bus and $65 per citation remitted back to the vendor for processing; first‑offense fines in Tennessee are $250 and $500 for a second offense, per the presentation. The system, he added, would also provide interior bus cameras and a live‑feed emergency button.

Board members and Police Chief Gibson raised concerns about enforcement logistics, officer time to review footage, out‑of‑state violators, collection rates, contract exit penalties and whether a partial‑fleet pilot would leave some students unprotected. One board member asked whether the district would be able to enforce collections or if community pressure could lead to nonenforcement; Taylor said the vendor turns unpaid citations to collections and that the contract includes a declining equipment payback if the district exits early.

Chief Gibson said the police department is prepared to review footage and explore operational models; he and Hal Taylor said state officials have expressed interest in observing the pilot if the district proceeds. The board asked staff to pursue several contract options (including limited pilots of five to ten buses), to have the district attorney and city review legal exposure and to return with alternatives. The board then voted to table the item to the next meeting while staff develops and circulates contract options.

Next steps: staff will obtain multiple contract options, submit them for legal review (including a review by Chuck Cagle per board discussion), and return to the board with recommended contract terms and an implementation plan; city council approval will be required before the district can sign a contract.