Policy 711 - Audio Video Recording on School Buses

The purpose of this policy is to establish a school bus audio/video recording system. Video cameras may be placed on school buses under this policy.

The transportation of students to and from school is an important function of the school district, and transportation by the school district is a privilege and not a right for an eligible student. The behavior of students and employees on the bus is a significant factor in the safety and efficiency of school bus transportation. Student and employee misbehavior increases the potential risks of injury. Therefore, the school district believes that audio/video recording student passengers and employees on the school bus will encourage good behavior and, as a result, promote safety.

A. Placement

1. Each and every school bus owned, leased, contracted, and/or operated by the school district may be equipped with an audio/video recording device and conspicuously placed signs notifying riders that their conversations or actions may be recorded.

2. An audio/video recording device will not necessarily be installed in each and every school bus owned, leased, contracted, and/or operated by the school district, but cameras may be installed in any bus without prior notice to passengers, district employees, contractors, or contractors’ employees.

3. Audio/video recording devices will be placed on a particular bus to observe and record behavior on the bus.

B. Notice
Each bus equipped with an audio/video recording device must have a conspicuously placed sign notifying riders that their conversations or actions may be recorded per Minn. Stat. § 121A.585.

C. Use of Audio/Video Recordings

1. An audio/video recording of the actions of student passengers and/or employees may be used by the school district as evidence in any criminal proceeding or disciplinary action brought against any student or employee arising out of the student’s or employee’s conduct on the bus.

2. An audio/ video recording may also be used by the district or the district’s transportation providers as evidence in any criminal proceeding or disciplinary action brought against district employees, contractors, or contractors’ employees.

3. Audio/video recordings will be viewed by school district personnel on a random basis and/or when discipline problems on the bus have been brought to the attention of the school district.

4. An audio/video recording will be retained by the school district until re-looped or until the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings in which the recording is used for evidence.

• Minn. Stat. Ch. 13 (Minnesota Government Data Practices Act)
• Minn. Stat. § 121A.585 (Notice of Recording Device)
• Minn. Stat. § 138.17 (Government Records, Administration)
• Minn. Rules Parts 1205.0100-1205.2000 (Data Practices)
• 20 U.S.C. § 1232g (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
• 34 C.F.R. §§ 99.1-99.67 (Family Educational Rights and Privacy)

• Adopted: May 14, 2007
• Reviewed: March 10, 2008
• Amended: March 14, 2016
• Amended: May 8, 2023
• Last Reviewed: May 8, 2023