<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1RW2RK_0vklfGbq00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1RW2RK_0vklfGbq00" width="1662" height="1247" ><figcaption>Clarinda School District McKinley Central Office Building Mike Peterson/KMA News</figcaption></figure>(Clarinda) -- Clarinda school officials are setting policy in using video cameras to monitor school behavior.By unanimous vote late Wednesday afternoon, the Clarinda School Board approved an update to student handbooks for the 2024-25 school year. Included in the updates is a policy stating school officials must notify parents each school year regarding the authorized use of video cameras in school buildings, and on school grounds--including the use of videotapes in student disciplinary proceedings. The policy includes language indicating parents may only view videos with permission from local law enforcement. Clarinda School Superintendent Jeff Privia says the language is based on advice from Ahlers and Cooney--the district's legal representation."What has happened, according to legal advice," said Privia, "if Mr. (Luke) Cox uses video cameras for disciplinary action, and a parent wants to see that if, let's say, there's a fight, they need to go through our local police department to get a copy of that video, and either file charges or not against the other student."Board President Scott Honeyman says the language basically protects the district from liability."The purpose of that is to eliminate the district from being liable from a mediation," said Honeyman. "The police department is responsible for any charges or not, and it takes us out of the middle."While saying he understands the desire for law enforcement to act as buffers in discipline situations, board member Paul Boysen questions whether the policy conflicts with a defendant's rights to due process."Part of the problem it runs into is the accused, under our laws, is entitled to know the extent of the charges they're facing, and how we're supporting that," said Boysen. "If someone says, 'we'll you can't do that, because I have a right out of the Sixth Amendment to look at it directly, without going through law enforcement,' it's a question to me that's yet to be resolved. And, I don't know how you resolve it."Boysen, however, added the district should retain the policy until it's legally challenged.In other business Wednesday, the board...---approved the request for modified allowable growth and supplemental aid for the 2023-24 school year, to address the special education deficit.---approved the home school teaching contracts.---approved Clarinda High School FFA's upcoming trip to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis October 22nd-26th.---approved the first reading of Iowa Association of School Board policy primers regarding use of motor vehicles, student use of personal electronic devices, student use of personal electronic devices regulations, the basic construction program, and the purpose of non-institutional and business services.</div></body>

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Clarinda board reviews video security policy

(Clarinda) -- Clarinda school officials are setting policy in using video cameras to monitor school behavior. By unanimous vote late Wednesday afternoon, the Clarinda School Board approved an update to student handbooks for the 2024-25 school year. Included in the updates is a policy stating school officials must notify parents each school year regarding the authorized use of video cameras in school buildings, and on school grounds--including the use of videotapes in student disciplinary proceedings. The policy includes language indicating parents may only view videos with permission from local law enforcement. Clarinda School Superintendent Jeff Privia says the language is based on advice from Ahlers and Cooney--the district's legal representation.