Policy committee questions 'facial recognition' wording in video surveillance policy

The New London Board of Education Policy Committee debated proposed language about facial-recognition technology in draft Policy 5131.111 during its May 26 meeting.

Committee member Becky Amanti raised concerns that the proposed wording could lead to misidentifying students of color and stressed privacy protections should be prioritized. Executive Director of Operations Miguel Gautier responded that the software ''doesn’t provide a name to identify the captured image, it does not know who you are when you enter the building,'' and that the system is intended to speed the manual review process rather than automatically attach identities to footage. Kristea A. Francolino, Manager of Executive Support Services, agreed that the term ''facial recognition'' may be a misnomer and recommended clearer terminology.

Members discussed balancing rapid location of a student in an emergency with students' rights and autonomy. The committee noted an existing procedure for requesting access to footage that must align with applicable law and FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). Rather than adopting new language immediately, members voted to review how other districts have written similar policies and asked Mr. Gautier to demonstrate a sample camera system at a future meeting.

The motion to advance discussion of Policy 5131.111 and to seek additional examples from peer districts carried, 3-0. No change to the district policy was adopted at this meeting; the committee directed staff to return with comparative policy language and a demonstration.