Weekly Question: Security Cameras in Schools?

Wayland's elementary schools and, money permitting, middle school will receive some security upgrades in the near future.

The upgrades were actually authorized, according to Public Buildings Director John Moynihan, during a 2009 Town Meeting. At that time, security cameras were part of the authorization along with new exterior and interior locks and a card swipe entry system.

But, Moynihan said, then Superintendent Gary Burton put the brakes on when it came to the installation of cameras at the elementary schools.

On Monday, upgrades and install new locks at the elementary schools. While Moynihan did not request authorization to install cameras at this time, he pointed out that security cameras are largely standard today in schools of all levels.

Current Superintendent Paul Stein said he would be interested in gauging the public sentiment regarding security cameras, pointing out that “There are some people who look at this almost from a civil liberties perspective."

And we're interested as well. So this week's question: How do you feel about security cameras at schools, particularly elementary schools?

Sign in to Wayland Patch (click "Sign In" or "Join" in the upper right-hand corner) and tell us what you think in the comments below.