Committee backs placing bus‑patrol camera contract on the board agenda

The buildings and grounds discussion focused on a safety technology proposal to install external and internal cameras on district vehicles.

Administration recommended partnering with Bus Patrol to install 14 cameras per vehicle (seven exterior and seven interior) on up to 29 vehicles used for district transportation. The vendor originally quoted $2,000 per vehicle; negotiations produced a reduced price of $1,500 per vehicle and the district's transportation provider offered to pay half, leaving the district responsible for approximately $750 per vehicle (roughly $21,750 if 29 vehicles are equipped).

Officials described the system as cellular‑based and capable of automatically flagging stop‑arm violations; Bus Patrol performs an initial automated review and then forwards a package to the Northern Lehigh police department for citation determination. Administration said video ownership resides with the district and that public records requests would be handled under Right‑to‑Know procedures.

Privacy and operations questions: board members asked how videos of students are handled, who owns the data, and who responds to incidents. Administration said the legislation allows the district to partner with Bus Patrol and that citations are issued by the district's own police, with $25 per citation afforded to the local department per statute allowing local enforcement. Administration added cameras have two‑way audio and remote access to server‑hosted video, which staff said will speed investigations and reduce the need to physically retrieve drives.

Costs and timing: administration recommended placing the item on the May board agenda for approval with an estimated one‑time district cost capped to the amount discussed; the procurement would be coordinated with the transportation vendor and maintenance staff for installation and subsequent operational support.

Next step: The committee supported moving the contract to the full board agenda for a formal vote; no final contract was signed at the committee meeting.