The changes in schools are proceeding at such a rapid pace that even recent graduates would find their old schools quite different. Some schools have drug testing. Some schools send home an obesity report. There are schools that are installing surveillance cameras, even in places like washrooms. In these examples of schools evolving, there have been debates about student privacy and security. These are open issues for the community to decide on how to spend educational tax dollars wisely.

A way to circumvent any debate is to proceed with procedures without informing the public. This has happened in Newton:

“In the City of Newton, where civil liberties and liberal politics run deep, disclosure that two local schools installed security cameras without informing faculty, the School Committee, or the school community has touched off a debate pitting the right to privacy against protecting valuables in the schools.”

link: Quiet installation of cameras in Newton schools sparks debate

There is universal agreement that the security of children is paramount. However, to operate in this secretive manner is chilling. The argument that ‘it is for the greater good’ is the same reasoning that dictatorial regimes use. The lack of open disclosure raises the question of ‘who will protect us from those entrusted with our security’. Secrecy simply undermines the process of security.

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster:  http://flyinghamster.com/

[tag]schools, surveillance cameras, secrecy, privacy, security, debate, children[/tag]