FERPA, Privacy Issues Are Avoided
It should be noted, however, that local law enforcement must first obtain permission from the district and then the district sends them a link to the video stream. This formalized process can help allay potential privacy/FERPA concerns.
Another way the district calms potential concerns of students, teachers, parents and the public is to inform them about the system through board meetings, newsletters, training, newspaper articles, TV news and the parent/student handbook. The publicity efforts stress that the audio, video and information from the system is only used for the classroom, and it is not broadcast anywhere or put on the Web.
Roberts also notes that because his district is located in Nevada where there is a lot of gaming, “Everything you do here is recorded,” so the public is generally very comfortable with video surveillance.
Related Article: Addressing Video Surveillance Privacy Concerns
Thomas adds that “It’s not a ‘gotcha’ thing; it’s more of ‘I got your back’ thing.” That being said, he recommends districts using this type of system get permission from students, parents, the district, teachers and principals before deploying it.
System Used For Teacher Training, Student Evaluations
In addition to improved classroom safety and student learning, the audio and video components can be used for teacher training, evaluations of student behavioral issues and distance learning.
“The teacher can, in conjunction with the principal, set the instrument up so they can record their own classroom instruction and use that in professional learning communities where tea
chers can work on best practices or mentor a junior teacher,” Roberts says.
With teacher evaluations, the teachers know the system is recording but the students don’t. Also, the principal isn’t physically in the classroom so he or she can get a more realistic idea of what is actually happening in the classroom and the student’s real behavior and natural interactions with each other and the teacher.
Thomas adds that “We also have many teachers who didn’t know they taught the way they do. ‘I didn’t know I leaned to the right when I speak. I didn’t know I focused more on the girls than the guys.’”
Additionally, with distance learning, parents can view a teacher’s lesson to help their child. Students can also view lessons to assist them with their homework. The solution also helps homebound students keep up with their assignments.
Put Cameras In Proper Locations
When funds become available, Roberts hopes to expand the system district wide.
For other districts considering a system like this, Thomas has some pretty strong feelings about incorporating technological solutions in general.
“Typically, what schools do is install it and then check the box and say, ‘I have cameras; I do scanning so my school is safe,’” he says. “With cameras and metal detectors, they aren’t panaceas. Make sure you have cameras in the right locations. If your data says that many incidents occur in the cafeteria at 3 p.m., then that’s a good place to put your cameras. But if you put cameras in places that will make people feel safer, you could be wasting an installation.”
Roberts also recommends that, whenever possible, the system should be installed during new construction rather than as a retrofit.
All photos in this story provided by Lisa Mays, Flutterbys.org.
District at a Glance
Comprised of approximately 18,000 square miles in Nevada, the Nye County School District is the largest school district in the contiguous United States. Its 21 schools are located in diverse areas, from suburban Las Vegas (Pahrump) to a one-room schoolhouse with 17 students in the town of Duckwater. About 5,600 students attend Nye County Schools, and the district encompasses Area 51, the Nevada Test Range and Yucca Mountain. Approximately 700 faculty and staff work for the district.
Nye County Schools partner with the Nye County Sheriff’s department, and two school resource officers (SROs) work in Pahrump’s high school and middle schools. DARE and gang resistance officers work in the elementary schools.
Deployment Suggestions for Audio Enhancement, Camera and Panic Alarm Systems
- Install panic buttons in front offices, under desks where they can’t be seen by the public but can be easily reached by campus staff
- When the campus is closed, put cameras in classrooms on motion detectors so that they activate should there be an intruder
- Place system sensors in areas outside of classrooms (halls, stairwells, etc.) so teachers can use their panic buttons (on their pendants) when they walk around campus
- Integrate this system with other legacy security systems
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