Background

The Division supports the use of video monitoring on school and Division property, including school buses and school grounds to promote the safety and security of students, protect Division property, deter and prevent criminal activities and enforce school rules. 

Procedures

1. Signs advising users of the premises of video surveillance practices shall notify individuals of the area in which surveillance is conducted; the specific purpose for the surveillance; hours during which surveillance is conducted; who within the organization is responsible for conducting surveillance, the appropriate section of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy act which governs the use of cameras, and the contact person who can answer questions about the surveillance system, including a telephone number for contact purposes.
2. The Principal shall inform students, staff, parents, and the School Council, at the beginning of each school year that the Division will be monitoring all activity that occurs at designated monitoring points throughout the school year and explain the purpose for such monitoring practice.
3. All staff and contractors shall be made aware of this video monitoring administrative procedure.
4. Cameras shall be positioned in areas where it is deemed necessary to protect assets, and assist in the provision of the personal safety of individuals.
5. Cameras shall not be used to monitor areas where the public has a reasonable expectation of privacy, including change rooms and washrooms, nor be directed towards windows of adjacent non-NLSD buildings. 
6. A video recording of actions by student(s) may be used by the Division or administrators as evidence in any disciplinary action brought against any student arising out of the student’s conduct in or about Division property or student transportation. 
7. Video monitoring may be used to detect or deter criminal offences, which occur in view of the cameras. They may also be used for inquiries and proceedings relating to law enforcement, and student discipline.
8. Video recordings may be released to third parties or applicants in conformance with the provisions contained in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act of Alberta, and any rules or regulations hereunder.
9. Security cameras shall not be used for live monitoring of staff, students or visitors unless an emergent situation exists. Examples of such are lockdowns, active shooter etc, where live visibility is beneficial.
10. The installation, configuration and management of all security cameras shall be the responsibility of the Director of ED and IT Services, with the exception of cameras installed in school buses which will be the responsibility of the Director of Transportation
11. Access to the security camera programs shall be limited to school administrators,  relevant IT staff and division administration. In the event that the school has assigned a different person to respond to alarms, that individual shall also be given access to the cameras for personal safety purposes.
12. All video recordings shall be stored on division devices and not on removable media unless required by legal authorities. If required, the removable media shall be stored in a locked area until it is retrieved by authorized personnel.
13. Video records shall be retained for two weeks (14 days) and then erased completely. Video records that contain personal information used to make a decision directly affecting an individual, however, shall be retained for a minimum of one year.
14. The Principal shall ensure that a recording release form is completed before disclosing recordings to appropriate authorities or third parties. Any such disclosure shall only be made in accordance with applicable legislation. Such release forms shall include the individual or organization who is requesting the recording, the date of the occurrence and when or if the recording will be destroyed by the authority or individual after use.
15. Recording disposal must be handled in a secure manner.
16. An individual who is the subject of video monitoring has the right to request access to the recording in accordance with the provisions contained under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Access in full or in part may be refused on one of the grounds set out within the legislation.