NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE
SCHOOL BOARD OF SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA
RULE NO.: 8.24 RULE TITLE: Use of School District Security Video Cameras and Security Footage
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To modify the existing policy to strengthen oversight and responsibility for security cameras and footage, storage and retention requirements, confidentiality and access to footage, release of recordings, and training requirements.
SUMMARY: These revisions outline the process for accessing recordings, applicable public records laws regarding recordings, training requirements, and responsibilities for storage and retention.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:
The School Board has determined that this rule will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.
The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: No SERC is required at this time by FS 120.54 or FS 120.541. In the event a SERC becomes required, the School Board of Sarasota County, Florida will promptly prepare one.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding the statement of estimated regulatory costs, or to provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.41(2), 1001.43(4), Fla. Stat.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Sections 1001.42, 1001.43, 1001.51, 1002.22, 1012.22, 1012.23, 1012.31, 1012.795, 1012.796 F.S., Pickering v. Board of Education, 391 U.S. 563 (1968), Connick v. Myers, 461 U.S. 138 (1983), Garcetti v. Ceballos, 547 U.S. 410 (2006), Rankin v. McPherson, 483 U.S. 378 (1987), Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 U.S. 503 (1969)
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN CONFORMANCE WITH FS 120.54(3) AND 120.81(1)(d).
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Chris Parenteau, Supervisor, Government Affairs, Sarasota County Schools. 1960 Landings Blvd, Sarasota, FL, 34231. 941.927.9000
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
 
The Sarasota County School District has established that the safety of students, employees, and visitors is a high priority of the district. The use of Security video cameras and security footage is also known as Closed Circuit Television or CCTV is used to enhance security, safety, and the quality of life of The School District by integrating the best practices of video monitoring with state-of-the-art technology. The presence of cameras does not guarantee real-time monitoring or response and should not be relied upon as the sole means of protection.
I. Oversight and Responsibility
a. The Sarasota County Schools Police Department (SCSPD), Office of Safety, Security and Emergency Management (SSEM) is charged with reviewing, recommending, and managing proposed and existing video surveillance applications within Sarasota County School District property. 
b. The Chief of Police or designee is responsible for the annual review of this policy to reflect changes in the applicable federal/state laws and regulations.
c. This policy applies to all Sarasota County School District faculty, students, and staff concerning the use of CCTV monitoring and recording. Additionally, this policy applies to all district departments, colleges, divisions, and auxiliaries. Auxiliaries may develop alternative policies specific to their operation, subject to the approval of the Chief of Police. 
d. All CCTV systems must also comply with district cybersecurity standards, including password-protected access, encryption of stored data, and audit logs documenting system use.
II. Permitted Uses and Limitations
a. This policy does not address the use of general-purpose web cameras for special interest applications or district promotion purposes, but it should be noted that such cameras must not be used as a substitute for a security system. In addition, this policy does not apply to videography and filming for entertainment or promotional purposes.
b. SCSPD/SSEM uses CCTV to monitor school district property to deter crime and provide for the safety and security of individuals and property.
c. The Director of Safety and Security of Technology for the Office of Safety, Security, and Emergency Management shall review and approve any proposed or existing installation of video security applications on property owned by the Sarasota County Schools District. All video security applications must conform to federal and state law, School District policy and SCSPD technical standards to ensure recordings are secure, retrievable, and reliable for evidentiary purposes. 
d. The use of temporary CCTV monitoring (such as mobile video equipment or covert surveillance cameras) authorized by the Chief of Police for internal or criminal investigations or specific court orders is exempt from this policy. All such uses must be approved in writing, with justification documented and retained by SCSPD.
III. Storage, Retention, and Destruction
a. Information obtained through video monitoring will normally be used exclusively for safety, security, law enforcement, and other school-related purposes. 
b. Recorded images will be retained/stored for up to 30 days with access by appropriate staff authorized by the Chief of Police. After 30 days the recording will be destroyed (or recorded over) unless retained as part of a disciplinary matter, a criminal investigation, a civil or criminal court proceeding, flagged legal concern, or pursuant to the preservation or legal hold notice. It shall be the responsibility of the person viewing the recorded image to take appropriate steps to retain any such recordings.
c. Recordings will be automatically overwritten by the system as storage capacity is reached, unless flagged for preservation due to a disciplinary matter, investigation, legal hold, or court proceeding. 
d. No attempt shall be made to alter any recording.
IV. Confidentially and Access
a. Pursuant to Section 119.071 (3), Florida Statutes, video recordings and information regarding the school district’s closed-circuit television system (CCTV) are exempt from public records requests. Pursuant to Section 119.071 (3), Florida Statutes, video recordings and information regarding the school district’s closed-circuit television system (CCTV) are exempt from public records requests and should not be released without the approval of the Superintendent or designee, unless required by law.  In the event a video recording also constitutes a student record, it must be properly redacted to remove images of other students in accordance with legal requirements before any viewing by any student or parent.
b. Principals may approve a limited viewing of video footage by parents or guardians in certain discipline-related issues at school sites or on buses, in consultation with SCSPD or SSEM. Such viewings are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a release of the recording. No copies, photographs, or personal recordings of CCTV footage are permitted. Requests that qualify as an education record under FERPA shall be processed through the JustFOIA online portal  No such viewing shall occur until proper redaction of the likeness or identity of other students in accordance with legal requirements occurs. 
c. Video footage shown is not permitted to be copied or recorded by anyone viewing the footage. The use of personal devices to photograph, record, or duplicate CCTV images is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action.The School District may use such records, obtained through the course of police or internal investigation, in support of disciplinary proceedings against faculty, staff, or student(s), or in any legal matter involving a person(s) whose activities are shown on the recording and are relevant to the matter. 
d. Any person who tampers with or destroys a camera or any part of an electronic surveillance system may be prosecuted in the criminal justice system as well as through a District discipline process.
V. Release of Recordings
a. The SCSPD and SSEM will maintain the campus database of all district-owned and controlled camera locations. 
b. Any requests for the release of recordings obtained through video security will be referred directly to the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police, in consultation with the Superintendent, will determine if release is permitted. Recordings will only be released by court order, subpoena, or written authorization of the Superintendent or Chief of Police. 
c. All releases of recordings authorized by the Superintendent or Chief of Police will be documented by SSEM. Chain-of-custody procedures shall be followed for any recordings used in investigations or legal proceedings.
VI. Signage
a. Signage providing notice of the district’s possible CCTV monitoring of a public area shall be posted at Public Areas monitored by video surveillance. 
b. An exception to the signage requirement may be made if announcing the use of video surveillance would undermine its purpose, such as in the investigation of criminal activity. Any such decision must be made jointly by the Chief of Police and Chief of Human Resources. Normally, signage will state:
SECURITY NOTICE
SECURITY CAMERAS
MAY BE USED TO RECORD
EVENTS AT THIS FACILITY
VII. Maintenance and Requests for Installation
a. Cost Centers requesting the installation of new video security applications must submit their request to the SPSPD/SSEM for review. The Director of Safety and Security Technology or designee will review such requests.
b. Cost Centers are encouraged to clean the cameras on their site. No chemicals should be used only a damp cloth or rag. Cameras should not ever be pressure washed.
VIII. Training
a. All district staff with authorized access to CCTV systems shall complete annual training on FERPA, privacy requirements, and proper handling of video recordings.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY:
LAW(S) IMPLEMENTED: 119.071(3) F.S.
HISTORY: ADOPTED:
REVISION DATE(S): 08/03/21, 09/2025
FORMERLY:



NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Chris Parenteau, Supervisor, Government Affairs in conjunction with Superintendent of Schools Terry Connor.
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: The School Board of Sarasota County, Florida
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: Approved for advertising on October 21, 2025. Final approval by School Board of Sarasota County, Florida is to be determined.
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FS 120.81(1)(d): September 23, 2025.