Huron Expositor, 2007-09-12, Page 9111
1
The Huron Expositor • September 12, 2007 Page 9
News
Catholic school board votes to allow installation
of video surveillance cameras in local schools
Stew Slater
Huron -Perth Catholic District
School Board administrators now
have the authority to inssurveil-
lance cameras in schools, as a result
of a 4-1 vote at a regular meeting
Monday, Aug. 27.
Officially, the affirmative vote
approved a policy about "video sur-
veillance systems."
But, the result is that education
superintendent Dan Parr will now
search for the most suit-
able suppliers and
begin the process of
informing the public
about the installation
of cameras at the
board's two secondary
schools.
There is nothing in
the new policy pro-
hibiting the installa-
tion of cameras in ele-
mentary schools. But it
does state that
approval of the sys-
tems "shall be granted
by the superintendent
responsible for sec-
ondary schools."
North Perth/Perth East/Huron
East trustee Vince McInnes cast the
lone dissenting vote.
He challenged administration to
justify the cost — estimated at a
total between $59,000 and $70,000
for installation at both St. Anne's in
Clinton and St. Michael in
Stratford.
Business superintendent Gerry
Thuss explained each secondary
school will be fitted with between
10-12 regular digital video cameras,
one or two "low -light cameras to be
placed at the perimeters of the prop-
erty," and a digital recording device.
The labour required for installation
will be fairly intricate, Thuss added.
South Huron/Bluewater trustee
Mike Miller noted the use of digital
technology over outdated videotape
technology will also add to the cost.
But following the meeting,
McInnes made clear in an interview
that the cost is less. of a concern
than the precedent being set regard-
ing privacy.
"It's almost like Big Brother look-
ing over your shoulder," he said.
McInnes also noted during the
meeting that there's nothing pro-
hibiting the board from expanding
the use of cameras into elementary
schools.
The decision to install cameras
did not come without deliberation.
Parr explained a survey of stu-
dents, conducted in 2006, put sur-
veillance cameras in third spot on a
list of priorities for boosting the
effectiveness of the board's anti -bul-
lying initiatives.
Ahead of cameras on that list
were having a trusted
t ... I staff member to whom
bullying victims can
talk and increasing in-
person surveillance by
authority figures in
the school.
Last spring, an ad
hoc meeting in
response to those sur-
veys — with participa-
tion from various com-
munity stakeholders —
addressed the camera
issue.
"School administra-
tors, parents and the
police all thought they
were a good idea. And
the student trustees, although they
came into the meeting thinking it
wasn't such a good idea, I think
they left the meeting with a differ-
ent viewpoint," Parr said.
Late last spring, trustees were
presented with the opportunity to
give administrators the go-ahead to
purchase camera systems over the
summer.
Instead, staff was directed to
gather more information, and that's
why the issue reappeared at the
Aug. 27 meeting.
Prior to the vote, Parr told
trustees that "from my understand-
ing, most of the high schools in the
province have been using (cam-
eras)."
And, after the meeting, education
director Larry Langan said in an
interview that surveillance cameras
will "further enhance what are
already two safe secondary schools."
Included in the new video surveil-
lance systems policy are clauses set-
ting out how the public will be
informed about the installation,
what training will be required for
those operating the system, who has
`It's almost like
Big Brother
looking over
your
shoulder,' --
North Perth/Perth
East/Huron East
trustee
Vince McInnes
Story idea?
Call Susan or Aaron
at 519-527-0240
access to the information gathered,
how long the data is kept, and
where on the property cameras
must be located. -
There's also a requirement for the
board to review the policy at regular
intervals.
"We're defining very closely ...
who is to be consulted, who is to be
informed, and how that consultation
will take place. We're specific about
signage that is to appear on schools
which have video surveillance cam-
eras," Parr explained.
"And I would make the decision
about where in the school the cam-
eras would be installed. It would be
outside of board policy for someone
else to make a decision to move (a
camera) to another place."
Langan said systems probably
won't be installed until a break in
classes: either over Christmas or
between first and second semester.
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