Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Privacy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Richland One advances first reading of concealed-recording policy to restrict secret devices in schools
Summary
The board gave unanimous first reading to policy KDCB, which would prohibit concealed recording devices in school settings (on- and off-campus educational contexts) to protect student privacy; the administration cited incidents of secret devices in students' belongings as impetus.
The Richland One Board advanced on first reading a proposed policy (KDCB) intended to prohibit concealed recording by members of the campus community, citing concerns about student privacy and secret recording devices discovered in student belongings.
Dr. Richardson introduced the policy and said the draft was revised based on audit and administration committee feedback to clarify the policy applies broadly to staff, students and others within education settings. "This proposed policy is being introduced to prohibit concealed recording by members of the campus community," Dr. Richardson said, explaining its purpose is to protect student privacy and ensure confidential employee spaces.
Board members sought clarifications on scope. Dr. Richardson and others said the policy covers on-campus and off-campus education settings where an "overarching theme of an education experience" exists, including field trips and bus rides, and noted the administration will review device-related language (for example, smart glasses) in the district’s device policy. The presentation also addressed that South Carolina is typically a one-party consent state for recordings, but the district’s standard would require permission from both parties for campus interactions.
Commissioner Klyber praised the clarity of the revisions; Commissioner Bishop and others asked follow-up questions about implementation and off-campus situations. The board voted unanimously to approve KDCB for first reading.
The administration said it will continue to refine associated device guidance documents and bring additional clarifying language back to the board as the policy proceeds to a future second reading and final vote.
