PISD TEACHER USED VIDEO DEVICE FOR UNAUTHORIZED RECORDING OF STUDENTS

JANUARY 30, 2018 THE PAMPA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS IT IS TAKING CORRECTIVE MEASURES AFTER A PAMPA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER WAS DISCOVERED TO BE USING A VIDEO RECORDER TO MONITOR STUDENT CONDUCT IN THE CLASSROOM WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE TO STUDENTS, PARENTS OR THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION. SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT TANYA LARKIN IN A STATEMENT TO PAMPA RADIO NEWS SAID USE OF THE RECORDING DEVICE WAS NOT AUTHORIZED BY THE DISTRICT AND UPON DISCOVERING STUDENTS WERE BEING RECORDED THE ADMINISTRATION TOOK IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION INCLUDING REMOVING THE DEVICE FROM THE CLASSROOM, NOTIFING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INSPECTING THE CLASSROOM AND OTHER AREAS TO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE NO OTHER UNAUTHORIZED RECORDING DEVICES. SHE SAID THE PISD HAS ALSO ADVISED PARENTS OF THOSE AFFECTED STUDENTS AND IS PLANNING ADDITIONAL STEPS WITH OTHER STAFF TO ENSURE THAT A SIMILAR INCIDENT IS NOT REPEATED AND THAT THE DISTRICT CONTINUES TO FULLY COOPERATE WITH ALL THOSE AUTHORIZED HAVING LEGAL JURISDICTION OVER THE ISSUE. HER STATEMENT ASSURED THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS IS PARAMOUNT TO THE DISTRICT AND TRUST AND OPENESS ARE CORNERSTONES OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTS AND THE DISTRICT IN THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN. SHE SAID THE PISD WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO MAINTAIN A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT INCLUDING VIDEO SURVEILLANCE IN COMMON AREAS INCLUDING BUILDING EXTERIORS, CAFETERIAS, HALLWAYS AND FOYERS. SHE SAID THE DISTRICT ONLY AUTHORIZES VIDEO RECORDING OF STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES AND WITH THE STUDENTS KNOWLEDGE. SHE SAID DUE TO STATE AND FEDERAL PRIVACY LAWS THE DISTRICT WILL NOT DISCLOSE FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE MATTER AND PARENTS WITH CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR INDIVIDUAL STUDENT SHOULD CONTACT NATHAN MAXWELL AT 806-669-4700.