Cameras on school buses spark debate

Wednesday night’s Board of Education meeting featured an update on developer donations, but the primary discussion centered on a proposed plan for installing cameras on school buses.

In an effort to circumvent disruptive behavior among students, Business Services Administrator Mark Busch proposed installing cameras on school buses to record and hopefully curb this type of behavior in the future. The cameras would cost $1,200-$1,500 per bus, Busch said.

Busch suggested they begin with a test phase, installing cameras on three buses in which students have torn seats.

Superintendent Dr. John Flores added that it is a preventative measure because they know certain behavior is occurring on the buses, and the cameras will act as a deterrent for that kind of behavior.

Board Member Tim White disagreed with Busch’s view, saying that it is a problem of accountability regarding the students.

He continued that the schools should not be spending money to correct the students’ actions on the bus; rather it should come back to the students and their parents, and, if he or she cannot behave, that student should be taken off the bus.

Administrator of Business Services Mark Busch proposed the installation of cameras on buses during Wednesday’s school board meeting. Several administrators and board members were in favor of the move, seeing it as a method of making students accountable for their actions.

Boad member Tim White was opposed to putting cameras on buses, saying student actions are a matter for their parents, and that disruptive students should not be allowed to ride buses.

Board President Jim Chaston agreed with the idea of cameras, saying that it will be concrete evidence to use to hold students accountable.

Maricopa Wells Middle School Principal Stephanie Sharp said that the cameras will allow administrators to take a firmer disciplinary stance with the parents of students who are being disruptive on the bus, as they will have unbiased documentation.

The board will give a recommendation regarding cameras on buses at the next meeting.

Facilities Manager Paul Kasparian gave an update on both cash and land developer donations.

He said they currently have six sites still in negotiations, including Tortosa and Santa Rosa Springs; the district is still working on getting land donation agreements and special warranty deeds for those sites. Once attained, they will be brought before the board for approval.

Kasparian plans to have an update at the next school board meeting on the amount of money already collected, what it has been spent on and what is left at present.