Burke School Interior Video Monitoring Information

Burke School is considering installing internal cameras. The administrative team believes that internal cameras will increase our ability to maintain the safety of all students, staff members and visitors within the building. Internal cameras will only be placed in the high traffic areas and will not be placed in classrooms or restrooms. In total, Burke School is proposing to install 15 internal cameras.

The effectiveness of internal video monitoring has been shown to reduce theft and vandalism, as well as aid administrators in timely and accurate determinations in student/staff and building incidents. Seventy seven percent of all public high school currently use security cameras to monitor schools (Indicators of School Crime and Safety, U.S. Department of Justice and Education, November 2010). In Virginia, the school divisions that utilize interior video surveillance include the City of Alexandria, Loudoun, Prince William, Fauquier, Stafford, and Culpepper School divisions utilize interior cameras. All Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) high schools have interior cameras installed.  In Maryland, Frederick County, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County currently utilize internal video surveillance.

Interior cameras are not meant to be an invasion of privacy, but rather an additional layer of security in a complex world in which we live. They are considered fundamental to school security programs. Cameras will not be personally monitored, but footage would be available for review up to 30 days in case of an incident. Only FCPS staff who need to review and use the images in the course of their official duties, typically security staff and administration, will have access to the video footage.  Parents will be notified if a video has been reviewed that contains images of their son/daughter.  Parents may request to view images of their own student and may not have copies of footage.

Feedback on the proposal will be gathered from students, staff and community members through various means:

• General faculty and staff will be surveyed during team meetings in February, 2022.
• Students will be surveyed during their SR&R review presentation during history classes in February and March 2022.
• Parents and community members will be surveyed virtually on March 1, 2022, in conjunction with the virtual FLE presentation.
• If you are unable to make it on March 1^st, please email @email with your comments on this proposal and whether you support or oppose the installation of internal cameras.