Cameras to monitor some special education classes; Districts not provided state funding for equipment

A Senate bill requiring Texas school districts to install audio and video equipment in special education classrooms went into effect at the start of the school year, and local ISDs are having to pay thousands of dollars to comply with the new law.

The bill, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in June 2015, states cameras must be installed in self-contained classrooms that offer special education services to at least 50 percent of students for at least 50 percent of the school day if a parent, trustee or staff member requests it. The law states the districts are required to keep the recordings for at least six months, and parents must be notified of the camera installations.

Because no state funding was provided for the equipment, districts must pay for the cameras from their own general funds.

Officials from both Lake Travis and Eanes ISDs say they have received requests from parents who want the cameras installed, prompting the districts to move forward with the purchase and installation of the new equipment.

“[The cameras are] an added layer of protection for our students that typically cannot advocate for themselves,” LTISD Communications Director Marco Alvarado said.

The LTISD board of trustees approved a $456,500 contract for video, audio, recording, retaining and editing equipment June 21.

Johnny Hill, LTISD’s assistant superintendent for business, financial and auxiliary services, said if the school district were to install cameras in all classrooms where special-needs students are taught, LTISD would need 120 cameras—three cameras for each of the 40 classrooms—that cost $1,000 each, plus two servers at $20,000 each, one storage system at $250,000, editing software that costs $5,000 and $41,500 for contingency.

Molly May, EISD’s executive director of special education and disability services, said the district expects to spend at least $14,000 for startup costs and an additional $7,000 per classroom following the initial costs.