Monroe City Schools delays putting cameras in special education classrooms

MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Monroe City Schools is delaying including cameras to special education classrooms regardless of a brand new state legislation requiring it.

In June, Governor John Bel Edwards signed a invoice requiring cameras in special education classrooms if a mum or dad requests one. A mum or dad would additionally be capable of view that footage upon request.

However, at a Policy Committee Meeting on October 4th, the board determined to defer additional dialogue on implementing the legislation to a later date, citing considerations about how the cameras will likely be funded and the way college students’ privateness will likely be protected.

“The legal requirements we have for protecting the privacy of students, we can’t release this video, so there are some limitations there already for what it means for parents or guardians,” stated board member Jennifer Haneline.

She additionally had considerations about how the cameras can be funded. The invoice was stripped of any funds when it went by means of the Louisiana Legislature.

“Children with disabilities have very extra special needs,” defined Haneline. “For them to pass something they see as very important, but to actually put no dollars behind it, I think that does speak to their commitment towards our children with disabilities.”

Despite her considerations, Haneline does imagine cameras might be a useful instrument.

“I think it could be really important for these students who have disabilities to make sure they are being protected and kept safe,” Haneline informed KNOE.

Konstance Causey, the Deputy Director of Families Working for Families of Northeast Louisiana, advocated for the invoice’s passage and says cameras create peace of thoughts for folks.

“A lot of the time, particularly when you have children with autism, those children are non-verbal,” defined Causey. “Cameras relay the facts.”

Causey, who additionally served as a advisor for the Louisiana Department of Education, says she has heard horror tales of kids with disabilities being abused in the classroom.

“Parents not only suspected but were sure that some negative incidents had occurred, so that definitely does happen,” defined Causey.

Causey says Families Working for Families will proceed to press lawmakers for funding to make it simpler for districts to implement the brand new legislation.

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