The Cumberland School Committee on Jan. 8 approved renewing a Flock Safety camera contract for Tucker Field after a lengthy discussion about privacy, access and intergovernmental responsibilities.

Motion and vote: a motion to renew the Flock Safety platform (resolution SCPR 12‑20‑25‑155) was moved by Mister Bacon and seconded by missus Feather; the motion passed 5–1. Committee members supported maintaining coverage at the field, citing a reduction in vehicle break‑ins and the system’s safety benefits; dissent centered on whether the camera’s use and access should be controlled by the town council rather than the school department.

What was debated: questions focused on what the device records (license plates vs. general surveillance), which parties have access, liability exposure and whether the town council previously restricted the platform’s use. Mike Chandler of the district described the camera in place at Tucker Field as recording the parking lot and field and said it “is not a plate reader” for that installation, while proponents noted the camera is valuable for incident review after break‑ins and assaults. Committee members also noted the contract cost (about $6,000) and discussed short‑term extension options while the town and school coordinate on longer‑term solutions such as running fiber to the site.

Intergovernmental and legal concerns: several members asked that the superintendent and legal counsel raise the topic with the mayor and town council to clarify ownership, access rules, potential ordinance language and any liability exposure if police or other town users access footage. Legal counsel cautioned that municipalities can be named in lawsuits in theory but said public cameras typically do not implicate Fourth Amendment search protections in the same way as a targeted camera focused on a private residence might.

Next steps: the superintendent agreed to request the mayor/town council place the matter on their agenda for joint discussion; the district will explore short‑term contract prorating and gather cost estimates for running a fiber lateral to the field as a longer‑term option.