|
Somersworth School Board looks
into adding audio surveillance
JENNIFER KEEFE
Foster's
online
Thursday May 24, 2007
SOMERSWORTH — Adding audio to the existing video surveillance
equipment on school property and buses is under consideration by
the School Board.
Two proposed policies discussed at the board's Tuesday meeting
have been recommended by the New Hampshire School Boards Association
and would give the Somersworth school district the audio option.
The addition would "ensure the health, welfare and safety
of all staff, students and visitors to District property and to
safeguard District buildings, grounds and equipment," according
to the policy.
Video cameras are already installed at Somersworth High School
in areas Superintendent Karen Soule said the district wants additional
security and audio would enhance those safety measures.
The policy states if a crime or violation on school property is
recorded, the tape will be retained for no less than three years.
The district also would have the ability to make recordings part
of a student's record.
"It's all about security," she said, adding the goal
for the future is to put cameras in the middle school as well.
Cameras currently are installed on all buses, however, and Soule
said the audio capability would add to student safety on the buses.
Surveillance on school buses, which School Board Chairman Mark
Richardson said has been authorized by the state, would monitor
student behavior in order to prove any reported incident.
The policy stipulates the bus videos would be kept five days following
their use, yet board member MHC MacLeod said it might be wiser to
retain them longer.
"I think the premise is to make sure we're not overly surveillanced
and we're respecting people's privacy, but it seems to me knowing
how teenagers or younger kids can come back and say, 'But a week
ago Friday, Johnny hit me on the bus,' it seems like a short period
to me."
The New Hampshire School Board's Association had recommended that
time span and Soule said the time has proved effective overall.
These policies come on the heels of an approved policy for the
authorization of metal detectors on school grounds if needed.
When the metal detector policy was first introduced in March, Richardson
said the board seemed in agreement about the need to be prepared
for any form of school violence.
"It's unfortunate but it's reality," he said.
Soule said the hope is someday to have viewing capabilities of
the high school from the SAU 56 office as it would be important
for people outside the school to know what is happening inside the
school in case of any emergency situation.
A public hearing is required by the state to adopt these policies.
The policy will be posted today for public viewing, and the public
hearing will be held June 5 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers.
INFOWARS:
BECAUSE THERE'S A WAR ON FOR YOUR MIND
|
