The way has been cleared for school officials in Sea to Sky country to monitor school buildings and busses in a whole new way.
The school trustees have approved a new set of policies on the use of surveillance equipment on busses and around school district properties.
Assistant Superintendent Ian Kent confirmed that new policies are in place, though they aren't immediately being acted on by the district.
"It is really a school's decision whether they have video cameras," Kent said.
At this point, Howe Sound Secondary, Don Ross Secondary and Garibaldi Highlands Elementary are the only schools in the district with security cameras.
"There is no encouragement from central office," Kent said of the current use of video systems at the schools in Sea to Sky country.
He noted that having policies in place allows schools to react quickly if security concerns at a particular school changes.
Kent also said the existing school bus fleet in the school district won't be retrofitted with cameras.
"When you order a new bus they come equipped with a camera," Kent said.
The policy passed by the Board of School Trustees sets out specific guidelines for who can view the captured images and who handles the devices used to hold or capture images.
According to a report from school district staff, the policies were brought to the school trustees as a tool to protect personal safety and school property.
Before any cameras can be installed at any of the schools in the district, the policy states the school's planning council must be consulted.
