PatchChat Live: Video Surveillance In Fairfax County High Schools

Next month, the Fairfax County School Board will vote on a program that would give high school principals the ability to install video surveillance cameras inside their buildings.

The debate has pitted principals who believe the system could curb theft and discipline issues against local activists and community members who say the program is ineffective and violates student rights.

The Fairfax County High School Principals Association and the schools’ Department of Facilities and Transportation Services first brought the proposal before the school board The principals, who the school board then charged with gathering feedback from PTSAs on the issue, presented their findings to the board on Monday, reporting Two — Langley and Annandale high schools — opposed it. Four high schools reported their communities were split on the issue, while two others took no position.

Despite the community support principals spoke about Monday, certain questions still remain, some school board members said at Monday's meeting: what process principals must follow to have cameras installed in their schools, how the tapes would be reviewed and whether students' opinions are being considered.

Join us at 1 p.m. Friday to discuss the proposal, outstanding questions and more with school board member Dan Storck, Lee High School Principal Abe Jeffers and Michele Menapace of Fairfax Zero Tolerance Reform.

Can't make Friday's chat? Email your questions to erica.hendry at patch.com before the chat and we'll include it in the discussion.

Nicole Trifone reported for this story.