TENAFLY - The Board of Education plans to introduce a policy restricting the use of drones on and above school property.
"We received this new drone policy from our policy organization," Superintendent Lynn Trager said at the Aug. 30 public meeting. "They suggested that we include this policy as part of our district."
The policy organization made three recommendations: a total ban on any drones on or over school property; allowing drones on or above school property for school purposes if owned and operated by an approved contractor; or allowing drones as long as they are owned by the Board of Education or a resident.
"I presume if we don't have an adopted policy then we really have no basis saying, 'You can't have this or this,' so definitely, we should have a policy," said trustee Ed Salaski.
If the board implements the policy and a problem or accident occurs with drone use on school property, "you can say, 'You weren't supposed to be there,'" said recently-appointed trustee Rich Press.
Since drones are gaining popularity, districts and governing bodies are putting drone policies in place, Press added.
"I had a personal experience with that at the ski resort I work at - they banned it last year and the conversation revolved around potential injury, liability, things that can go wrong," he said.
Of the three options the superintendent offered to the board, Press said he liked the third one the most.
"I know our STEM teachers have used them, so they should be allowed to. If they're in charge of it, it's our property, if we own it and it's condoned, it shouldn't be restricted," he said.
Board President Lynne Stewart also said she agrees with the third option.
"I think it should be the third option were if the use of a drone needs to be approved, because there are some wonderful uses of drones that could really help with our curriculum and really enhance what we're doing," Stewart said. "But we need to understand why and how they're being used and be able to monitor it."
Board Vice President Eileen Pleva said that the "potential of filming children presents a security risk for students" and is "not appropriate" unless officials approve use of the drones on school property.
The board agreed to bring forward the policy and include the third option - allowing the use of drones for school purposes as long as the drone is owned by the school board or a resident and approved by trustees - for a first and second reading in September.
