Bus Videotaping Requires Careful District Policy.

As public schools try to address student misbehavior aboard school buses, many are turning to video cameras as a remedy.

Videotape provides indisputable proof that the pupil has committed an intolerable act which, at the very least, distracts the driver's attention from the road. That alone makes disciplinary problems a major safety factor.

Video cameras are capable of catching mischievous pranks, disrespect, and openly criminal actions. They also help the district's transportation supervisor monitor the driver who commits infractions of driving practices or fails to follow the student discipline policy.

The installation of the camera to monitor discipline on a school bus ought to be viewed as just an aid in the overall enforcement of local school disciplinary codes. It cannot replace the school district's rules on student conduct, the authority of the bus driver, or the prime responsibility of school administrators.

Policy Components

We adopted a statewide policy in Delaware on the use of video cameras in school buses last year and have shared it with school officials in other states and school districts. The major components of our policy are as follows:

* Notification: Parents are informed by the school district and the news media about the introduction of audio and videotaping aboard school buses.

* Camera rotation: Since few school districts can afford to equip every bus with a camera, you should rotate the placement of cameras among all buses, though buses with a higher incidence of misconduct can be taped more regularly. The superintendent or transportation supervisor should make such decisions based on just cause. The additional taping should supplement, not replace, written disciplinary reports by drivers.

* Storing tapes: Store your used videotapes for 10 days. If no incident is reported within that period, the tapes can be recycled. If an incident is reported, the videotape should be retained through the end of the disciplinary matter, including appeals.

* Record keeping: Mark the date, bus number, and driver's name on every videotape. Maintain a log of the placement of video cameras.

* Disciplinary process: A district's disciplinary policy should use a videotape to augment a driver's complaint. You should allow any of the affected parties--the driver, school administrators, parents, and the student--to view the tape of the incident, if requested. Such requests must be made in writing. The tape remains part of the evidence.

* Random viewing: The district's transportation supervisor should conduct random viewing of tapes even when no misconduct reports have been submitted. This will allow the supervisor to determine if behavioral problems are occurring without reports being filed. The tapes can be used to improve the driver's performance in maintaining order.

Within the Law

Delaware adopted an initial ratio of purchasing one video camera for every 15 school buses and then rotating the cameras. Since then, more cameras were purchased to bring the ratio to 12:1.

Having physical proof is a convincing measure when you confront students and their parents about misbehavior aboard the school bus, but this does not lessen the need for school districts to institute a video-use policy.

Without a formal policy on what to do with the film, who may view it, and evidentiary procedures, you could land in court for violating a student's rights.

The camera is not a panacea but another tool. Without a s strong disciplinary policy to follow up, the effectiveness will be limited.