School districts to install security cameras inside special needs classrooms
A new law passed in June allows school districts to install security cameras inside special needs classrooms. Supporters say this will give parents peace of mind.
Parents protested against Socorro ISD in July, 2014 after a nine-year old H.D. Hilley Elementary School student with Autism claimed he was raped. A district investigation found there was no conclusive evidence the child was raped at the school. Similar cases throughout Texas are what prompted Senate Bill 507.
Districts will be required to install cameras in “self contained classrooms” where special needs students are taught.
The bill’s backers say footage would provide necessary evidence in incidents where students have limited communciation skills.
“There have been concerns in the past from other districts, that probably prompted the need for this. And I say we have great teachers, I don’t see a problem with any of that. I see it as another layer of safety that parents feel they need,” Dr. Diana Otero, Executive Director of Special Education at YISD, said.
Under the new law, school districts will be required to foot the bill and the cameras would only be installed in classrooms where 50% of students spend 50% of the day. Dr. Otero estimates only 20-25 programs would need cameras at YISD.
Benjamin Ritter, with Security Pros, a security installation company in El Paso, says prices range depending on the resolution and type. Some classrooms may need more than one camera.
“This is going to be $169, with installation, the monitoring fee is separate,” Ritter said.
Ritters says, says the benefits outweigh the costs.
“It doesn’t matter the witness testimony, the camera catches everything, the judge who’s viewing it can make their own decision based on the evidence,” Ritter said.
EPISD tells Abc-7 they haven’t settled on a concrete plan yet. Clint ISD says they’re looking at the infrastructure of classrooms. Socorro ISD had cameras installed following the allegations at H.D. Hilley Elementary School.
