Schools
Cameras in Worthington schools earn nod, but cost may slow implementation
* Thomas Worthington may be the first school to receive security cameras.
By PAMELA WILLIS
Published: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 9:06 AM EST
Worthington school board members unanimously approved a new policy that will allow the district to install surveillance cameras in any of the district buildings.

The policy was approved at the board's Monday, Dec. 8, meeting.

Cameras could be placed "at various locations both inside and out at each school," according to the policy, but a few caveats were added.

"Carefully weighing the rights of privacy of students and staff against the district's duty to maintain order and discipline, the board authorizes the use of electronic surveillance systems," the policy states.

Assistant Superintendent Paul Cynkar told board members at the Nov. 24 meeting that "administrators in our high schools feel it is important to start looking into surveillance cameras in hallways, and in some of our elementary buildings, you can't see the front doors form the school office."

The policy states the cameras will be connected to a security device that will maintain a log of activity for seven days for "after-the-fact intervention.

"Records shall not be permanent and shall only be used for investigation of incidents. Those parties involved in a specific incident shall have access to view the recording before it is deleted," states the policy.

The policy also requires administrators to notify staff and students that camera surveillance could be used on school property or in school vehicles and that "proper signage shall be prominently displayed at all schools informing visitors that security devices are in use at the school."

Before voting to approve the cameras, board member Marc Schare said he'd like "a collective opinion on the policy as cameras start to be implemented.

"Will the location of cameras or the implementation of this policy be brought to the board?" he asked.

Superintendent Melissa Conrath said only if the installation and cost of a surveillance system is more than $25,000 would individual installations be brought to board members for approval.

"What I don't want to do is come back to the board for a formal vote every time we want to install a camera," she said. "Certainly if the installation is extensive and more than $25,000, we'll have to bring it back for a vote."

Conrath said the policy and the intent of the policy "would not justify putting cameras in places like locker rooms and restrooms."

Conrath also said administrators would talk to the community about the cameras.

"My expectation would be we'd talk with the school community about our expectations and why we're putting cameras in a particular building," she said.

Board member David Bressman said he thought board members and parents should "get some input into why cameras were being placed at a particular location."

Conrath agreed to keeping board members and parents informed and said the policy states staff members and students will be informed when cameras are present.

Director of Student Services Jim McElligott and Facilities Director Tim Gehring put together a working paper on possible security camera use, which is posted at the district's Web site, worthington.k12.oh.us.

McElligott said any new school buildings built in the state of Ohio are required to have surveillance systems under new state mandates. He told board members during the meeting that he has received only two e-mails from community members about the cameras, both in support of the idea.

The cost of the cameras could delay widespread installation, however, McElligott said in the paper.

"Timelines for the project are inherently dependent upon money being allocated from bond funds or the general fund," the paper states.

McElligott said he will meet with Harpy Engineering to estimate the cost of the first installation of cameras, which may be in Thomas Worthington High School.

Cameras were being considered before a recent incident at the high school in which Pete Bluvol, dean of students, allegedly was pushed down a flight of stairs at 8:50 a.m. Nov. 20 in the main gymnasium at the school, 300 W. Dublin-Granville Road.

According to a Worthington police report, the lights were off at the time of the incident and Bluvol was rendered unconscious after the fall and did not see any suspects. He was back at work at the high school Dec. 1.




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