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Venus ISD board hears detailed update on campus security cameras, aging hardware and licensing risks
Summary
District technology staff told trustees many campus cameras are 8–10 years old, some camera manufacturers later appeared on an FCC ban list affecting firmware updates and support, and the district plans a phased migration to a common Avigilon system before a 2028 license expiration.
Venus ISD technology staff briefed the board on the status of the district’s security-camera systems and identified compatibility, retention and licensing issues that will drive future procurement and migration work.
Mister Hudson, who presented the update, said the district’s campuses vary widely in camera counts and retention. "Primary school has 43 total cameras," Hudson said, and he noted that the high school received new, multi‑lens cameras with about 30 days of retention on their server while other campuses have longer or shorter retention depending on server capacity and configuration.
Hudson described a complication after the Federal Communications Commission identified certain original‑equipment manufacturers as security risks. "After they were purchased and installed, the FCC identified that manufacturer," Hudson said, which left the district unable to source firmware updates or spare parts for some older cameras. He added the district keeps those devices on a closed internal network and has a reserve of retired cameras and parts for short‑term repairs.
Chief Wood and technology staff outlined the district’s near‑term fixes and long‑term plan: deploy a small number of new fisheye cameras at the middle school to free up licenses, reuse retired hardware where practical, and migrate more cameras onto the Avigilon platform. Hudson noted the district’s Ricotta/Avigilon license runs through Dec. 31, 2028, and staff will evaluate cost‑effective options that move toward ownership rather than perpetual leasing.
Board members asked about mediation with the vendor Airwave and whether the district will remain on the same camera brand. Hudson said Airwave fulfilled its contracted work on the current project and that the district plans to solicit multiple vendors for future purchases. He emphasized that many older cameras remain functional now but will require replacement planning because they are near the end of typical service life.
District leaders said they will include camera replacement and licensing strategy in future budget discussions and return to the board with procurement recommendations before the 2028 license expiry.
