Policy 4900

We are pleased to announce that starting this Fall, all self-contained ESE classrooms qualify for the installation of a camera, under a new policy, Policy 4900: Audio-Visual Recording of Self-Contained ESE Classrooms, adopted by the School Board on  Tuesday, July 29, 2025. The purpose of this policy is to promote the health, safety, and physical well-being of our ESE students. These cameras will remain operational during the school day upon receipt of written consent from every parent/guardian of an ESE student or/eligible student in an ESE classroom.

The purpose of this policy is to help prevent abuse or neglect of students who have limited communication skills. Additionally:

• Cameras are a protective measure to promote safe and supportive self-contained ESE classrooms.
• Recordings will not be accessible to anybody for routine viewing. The cameras do not have a live streaming capability and cannot be viewed in real-time.
• Footage is only reviewed if a parent/guardian submits a formal request to review an alleged incident of abuse or neglect.

The benefits of this policy include:

• Cameras help build trust between families and the school.
• Helps provide transparency and context if an alleged incident is reported.
• Lends clarity to situations in which students have limited communication.

We deeply value our dedicated ESE staff, and this measure is not intended to convey distrust. Rather, it offers added assurance that the interests of all parties are respected and lends clarity to situations where students cannot advocate for themselves.

State law requires Broward County Public Schools to obtain written consent from the parents of all students in a classroom before a camera can be activated. Should you wish to have a camera operational in your student’s classroom, please complete the consent form in FOCUS (click here for instructions). If you require a paper copy of the form, please contact your child’s school. Once 100% of the students in the classroom have provided a response, communication will be sent home indicating whether or not a camera will be installed and activated.