The Sarasota County School District has established that safety for students, employees, and visitors is one of the highest priorities of the district. At times, technology-based (and other) innovations must be monitored and regulated to retain and monitor a high level of safety for all persons throughout the district, including instructional settings.

Unmanned remotely controlled aerial systems, i.e. drones, may have some value in an instructional setting. A teacher wishing to use/demonstrate any remotely controlled aerial system technology in an instructional related setting must adhere to the following criteria.

1. A clear connection between drone technology and the approved course curriculum must exist.

2. The use of any drone on school grounds must be approved in advance by the principal or a district administrator.

3. Drone operators must maintain line-of-sight at all times during operation and are prohibited from flying drones over playing fields, seating and spectator areas where and when people are present, as well as parking areas where and when people and/or vehicles are present.

4. When recording or transmitting visual images operators must avoid areas reasonably considered private in accordance with social norms. These areas include, but are not limited to restrooms, locker rooms, health treatment rooms, and residential areas.

5. Any district or teacher provided drone on school grounds must be of relatively low power, be equipped with blade guards, weight less than 0.55 lbs., and not be subject to FAA registration requirements. Drones weighing more than 0.55 lbs. are not permitted.

6. Eye protection is mandatory for the drone operator and the audience.

7. Drones are not to be operated in a classroom or in other areas with occupancy and/or pedestrian traffic.

8. Students are not permitted to bring drones to school.

9. Students operating drones on school grounds must; be enrolled in a program that includes the use of drones in its curriculum, have been trained in the use of drones by the teacher, and are operating the drone under the direct supervision of the teacher.

10. If used outside, and if the drone were to be flown/blown onto a building roof, off-campus location, or other restricted area, the teacher must report it immediately to school administration and custodial staff. Students shall not be used to retrieve the drone under such circumstances.

11. Prior to each approved use of a drone the teacher shall complete the following checklist:

1. Approval by the principal or a district administrator (initial by principal or administrator)

2. Certification that the drone does not require FAA registration (initial by teacher)

3. Verification that the drone operators have been properly trained (initial by teacher)

12. Any other use of drones or unmanned aerial systems in school settings under the jurisdiction of the Sarasota County School District are strictly prohibited (with the exception of those used in the line of duty by law enforcement officials).

13. Any variance from these procedures requires the prior written authorization from both the Director of Safety and Security and the Supervisor of Risk Management

School: Teacher: 

Date: Location of this use: 

Purpose of this use: 

Failure to comply with these procedures as authorized by School Board Policy 8.23 may result in disciplinary action.