WARMAN — Expect all 160 buses under the Prairie Spirit School Division to have video cameras installed in the coming school year.
PSSD Communications Manager Brenda Erickson said the decision to have cameras installed inside school buses was made in June, and the cost of the project will depend on the bids submitted for the request for proposals.
“The installation will occur over the school year by Prairie Spirit’s bus garage staff,” Erickson told SaskToday. She added that student safety is one of the reasons why they are putting up video cameras on school buses.
“We are installing video cameras on school buses because the division believes this can support student safety by helping to ensure proper oversight during student transportation and deter unsafe behaviour.”
The PSSD states on its bus rules that students should respect the driver and the other students’ space, while windows can be adjusted with the permission of the driver.
The camera systems will also help in investigating safety-related incidents. The PSSD transportation manager is expected to be among those personnel authorized to view the recordings when investigating incidents.
Having video cameras installed in buses is the discretion of every school division in the province for safety reasons. The video camera is part of the PSSD’s school bus safety program, and its use is under their Administrative Procedures, that was updated in 2023.
Prairie Spirit School Division operates 45 schools in 28 communities surrounding the city of Saskatoon.
