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Committee flags audio-surveillance draft, will seek legal review and consider public hearing on bus audio
Summary
Committee members reviewed a new surveillance policy (ECAF) and noted that audio-on-buses is addressed separately in NHSBA guidance; members agreed to send the draft to legal counsel for review and to consider a separate public hearing on bus audio before first reading.
The policy committee reviewed a proposed surveillance policy that treats audio recording as restricted and noted a specific carve-out that permits audio surveillance only on school buses. Staff member (S3) summarized NHSBA guidance: when adopting a wholly new surveillance policy that includes audio-recording on buses, the board should include a public hearing on that topic prior to first reading.
Committee members questioned whether the district currently uses audio recording on buses and whether posting a public hearing is necessary if the practice is already in place. S3 said the district does have audio on at least one bus and recommended sending the ECAF draft to legal counsel for review; "Districts that already use or wish to use surveillance with audio more broadly should consult with their private counsel," she said, citing the NHSBA note.
Members agreed to refer the draft to legal counsel and to revisit the policy in July. They also flagged related questions about whether recordings used in a teacher-evaluation pilot might become employee records and directed staff to ask legal about vendor agreements, data-retention, and whether such recordings are part of student records or personnel files.
No formal vote was taken. The committee requested a legal review and instructed staff to return with counsel recommendations and, if appropriate, a plan for a public hearing limited to the audio-recording provision.
