A proposed policy that would allow audio and video recording on school buses in worst-case disciplinary situations has led to a call for the resignation of the School Board chairman and a citizen’s petition drive by a parent.

Jonathan Zdziarski, who sends three of his four children to Memorial School, warns the new policy, especially the audio recording, is a violation of privacy and could put the school district on a slippery slope toward more egregious violations of student rights.

In addition, Zdziarski claims audio and video recording is at odds with the educational mission of the district.

“We’re not talking about the inner city here,” Zdziarski said. “We’re talking about Bedford. It shouldn’t be too much to ask that we educate our kids so we don’t have to worry about this happening in the future.”

Sacks agreed that education is always the first priority in disciplinary matters.

“We do believe in education,” Sacks said. “That’s our standard modus operandi. This is kind of a tool for those extreme occasions when we require it.”

Zdziarski has also called for the Sacks’ resignation, saying the chairman should step down if he does not understand parents’ concerns or works to address them.

Sacks rejected the call for his resignation.

“We have a responsibility by law to ensure a safe and secure environment,” Sacks said. “His request for me to resign over this is ridiculous. I’m simply doing what I’m supposed to be doing by law.”

The policy was on the School Board meeting agenda for three meetings between August and September, including at least one public hearing. But Zdziarski said he heard nothing of it until after the third meeting. The policy is headed for a School Board approval at its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Superintendent Tim Mayes said the district now has five video cameras which can be rotated among its buses. But those cameras, which were installed five or more years ago, are aging and breaking down. In the process of replacing them, the administration has recommended that the School Board approve video cameras that can record audio as well. The new cameras are roughly estimated to cost $1,000 per unit, according to Mayes.

Since the school district did not have a policy specifically governing surveillance cameras, the administration drafted one that covered other scenarios in which they could be used in addition to the buses. Officials said the policy as written complies with what is permitted under state law.

If approved, it would allow the use of video surveillance cameras on other school property, including parking lots, hallways, classrooms and common areas, but it explicitly bars the devices in restrooms, locker rooms and other areas where “privacy considerations are especially sensitive.”

But Mayes said he would be “hard-pressed” to envision cameras in classrooms and the district has no plans to install surveillance equipment inside school buildings.

“We don’t see a need for that,” Mayes said, citing a recent report on Bedford school security from a consultant. “Even the security people didn’t see a need for that.”

There is a possibility of surveillance cameras for parking lots and school grounds at the high and middle school, pending the outcome of a Police Department application for a grant, Mayes added. That system would combat vandalism after hours, he said. If the police acquire the grant and set up the cameras, the district would have to post signs notifying the public, according to the policy.

School officials said the policy has safeguards for student privacy. It mandates that recordings be destroyed after 10 days, unless there is a relevant ongoing disciplinary or legal proceeding. Mayes said the policy is meant to be reactive, not proactive, suggesting the recordings will be viewed only if there is an issue on a school bus.

Mayes insisted the tapes would be rarely viewed. When he was an assistant superintendent, with responsibilities for school buses, Mayes said video recordings were watched as infrequently as half a dozen times a year. He said the district administration, school bus coordinator and principal would see the tapes. The policy states that parents of children implicated should be able to see the tapes, too.

Most districts, according to Mayes, have some form of video surveillance on their buses. Zdziarski, however, remains unconvinced, saying his concerns are still valid.

“I want to make sure you understand that the School Board policy does not dictate audio/video surveillance only for use in worst-case disciplinary situations, but gives the superintendent carte blanche to deploy a/v wherever he deems is appropriate,” he said. “In fact, my biggest issues with the policy is that it has no controls whatsoever on the making of the video/ audio recordings; only controls on who views them.”

It is also very broad in that it addresses much more than the school buses – but would give the school system the ability to deploy them anywhere on campus, including inside the hallways or classrooms, Zdziarski said.

Zdziarski, who ran for a Town Council seat in the March election, said the flap over surveillance cameras now has him thinking about running for the School Board at some point.