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Board approves revised drone policy and allows police docking site after heated public debate
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Summary
After extended public comment and board deliberations about surveillance, data security and oversight, the Waterford School District board narrowly approved updates to its small unmanned aircraft systems policy (4–3) and voted 5–2 to grant a revocable license allowing the Waterford Township Police Department to place a docking station on the district transportation building rooftop.
The Waterford School District Board of Education voted Tuesday to adopt a revised policy governing small unmanned aircraft systems and to grant a revocable license allowing the Charter Township of Waterford Police Department to use a defined portion of the district transportation building rooftop as a launch and recovery site for police drones.
Superintendent Adam Martin opened the discussion by framing the license as limited: the rooftop is an ancillary transportation facility (not a student-occupied building), the district will receive no financial compensation, and the agreement can be terminated by the district with 60 days’ written notice. Chief Underwood of the Waterford Police Department told trustees the department has FAA approval to operate as a public safety agency, has trained and FAA-certified pilots, and cited examples from other jurisdictions where drone-first-responder systems improved response times and scene awareness.
Dozens of residents attended and spoke during public comment, raising privacy and cybersecurity concerns about the vendor technology associated with the proposed docking site. Samantha Hunt and other commenters cited news reports and social posts alleging misuse of vendor systems and said the district should not partner with companies they described as “untrustworthy.” Several speakers urged the board to delay or reject the agreement pending more transparency and clearer legal protections for student privacy.
Trustees debated the balance between the operational benefits described by the police and public concerns about surveillance, corporate access to data, and policy language that could be interpreted to allow drone operation without explicit superintendent approval. Board members asked for and reviewed clarifications in the policy language: the policy requires superintendent authorization for any drone operation on district property; operators must hold the FAA remote-pilot certificate; any drone used on district property must be registered and comply with 14 CFR part 107. The revised policy also references NEOLA guidance and possible disciplinary or referral actions for noncompliance.
On the policy vote, the board approved the revision by a 4–3 margin after extended discussion about legal compliance and transparency measures. The board then considered the separate revocable license agreement with the township. The license, as presented, restricts use to public-safety and law-enforcement purposes, prohibits commercial operations and unrelated surveillance of students or school activities unless tied to an authorized law-enforcement purpose, requires the township to carry specified insurance, and designates that drone data remain records of the police department (with FOIA responsibilities and district ability to request recordings when legally permissible). The board voted 5–2 to approve the license; members who opposed cited unresolved cybersecurity and vendor concerns.
The approved license runs through Dec. 31, 2030, with an optional two-year extension, and includes a 60-day termination provision for either party. Administration emphasized that the district retains authority over its property and can suspend or revoke access for noncompliance. Members of the board and administration said they would continue to monitor operations and compliance with the agreement’s reporting, safety, and legal requirements.
What happens next: the license becomes effective as written; the district and township are responsible for enforcement of the agreement’s terms, and the board said it expects to receive periodic updates on operations and any incidents reported by the police department.
