Because the district predominantly serves minors, is subject to a number of con?dentiality laws, respects parent/guardian and community concerns about privacy, and seeks to minimize disruption to the education environment, the district prohibits audio and visual recordings on district property, district transportation or at a district activity unless authorized in this policy.

Any recording activity, even activity permitted under this policy, will be prohibited if the activity creates a disruption to the education environment. No recording equipment will be used or placed in areas of the building where the occupant would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as restroom facilities or locker rooms.

Definitions

Audio Recording – Registering sounds on tape, digitally or by other mechanical or electronic means.

Outside Entity – Any individual, group, organization or corporation other than the administration, o?cers, sta? or students of Sikeston R-6 or individuals authorized to act for the district.

Visual Recording – Registering visual images on film, tape, digitally or by other mechanical or electronic means.

Recording by Outside Entities

Sikeston R-6 prohibits the use of visual or audio recording equipment on district property or at district activities by outside entities without permission from the superintendent or designee unless otherwise authorized by law. This prohibition shall not apply to:

1. Performances or activities to which the general public is invited such as athletic competitions, concerts and plays.
2. Recording of staff for the sole purpose of professional training or development.
3. Open meetings of Sikeston R-6 Board of Education or committees appointed by or at the direction of the Board.
4. Recording of an event sponsored by an outside entity using or renting district facilities in accordance with Board policies and established administrative procedures.

Recording by District Personnel or District Agents

The district or designated agents of the district may make audio or visual recordings to provide security, to maintain order and impose discipline, for professional sta? development use (including recording a performance review), for educational purposes or for other purposes related to furthering the educational mission of the district, including recording a counseling session with a student. This may include the use of visual recording equipment in district buildings and on district transportation. Recordings by or on behalf of district personnel that include students will be considered student records and will be maintained in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other applicable laws.

Pre-Service and Student Teachers

The district may allow student teachers or pre-service teachers to record themselves teaching or otherwise interacting with students when the recording is used for educational purposes in the student teacher or pre-service teacher preparation program. The student teacher or pre-service teacher must obtain permission to do so from the cooperating teacher and the building principal and must have signed Missouri Pre-Service Teacher Assessment permission forms from all students and adults who will appear in the recordings if those recordings will be viewed by any person who is not employed by the district. The district reserves the right to refuse to allow recording or to limit the time and place for such recordings in order to minimize disruption to the educational process.

Recording by Students

Sikeston R-6 prohibits the use of visual or audio recording equipment on district property or at district activities by students except:

1. If required by a district-sponsored class or activity.
2. At performances or activities to which the general public is invited, such as athletic competitions, concerts and plays.
3. At open meetings of the Board of Education or committees appointed by or at the direction of the Board.
4. As otherwise permitted by the building principal.

Recording of Meetings

The Board of Education prohibits the use of audio, visual or other recording devices at meetings held pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as other meetings among district employees and between district employees and parents/guardians, including parent/teacher conferences. An exception to this prohibition exists only where such device and recording are necessary to ensure that the parent or guardian of the student can understand and participate in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process or to implement other parental rights guaranteed under Part B of the IDEA. If a parent or guardian wishes to request an exception to the prohibition, that individual must provide to the Director of Special Services a written request no later than one week prior to a scheduled IEP meeting. The request must state the reasons why the parent or guardian believes the exception should apply and why the parent or guardian believes that the use of a recording device is necessary to ensure parental rights pursuant to the IDEA. The district will provide a written response to the request prior to the scheduled IEP meeting. This prohibition does not apply to conversations held within view of district security cameras.

Secretive Recording or Transmission

The district prohibits secretive recordings where persons involved do not consent to the recording and it is not otherwise obvious that recording equipment is present or being used, unless the superintendent or designee determines in rare circumstances that such recordings are necessary for educational or security reasons. The district prohibits the simultaneous electronic transmission of any conversation by any person to a third party without the consent of all involved in the conversation, even if the conversation is not recorded.

Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

All unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operators seeking to operate a UAS on or over district property or at a district event must receive authorization from the superintendent or designee. Authorization will be granted only when such operation is on behalf of the district, supports the mission of the district or otherwise serves a public purpose.

All UAS with the potential to capture or produce visual images of district property or district events must be operated in accordance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations or safety guidelines.