File:  IJNDBA - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones)

Summit School District is committed to providing all students and staff with technology-based learning opportunities. Access to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology in Summit School District is a privilege which brings with it responsibilities.

For the purposes of this policy, a UAV is any aircraft without a human pilot aboard the device.

Summit School District has established that safety for students, employees, and visitors is one of the highest priorities of the district. UAV systems may have value in an instructional setting. This policy is meant to provide guidelines and expectations regarding their use. Any representative of Summit School District, including but not limited to, staff members, students, coaches, sponsors, or parents representing the district or any of its affiliated clubs shall operate any and all district aerial drones in accordance with this policy and all applicable Federal Aviation regulations such as FAA Advisory Circular 91-57. Any variance from these procedures requires the prior written authorization from the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee.

Policy specific to size of drones:

Micro Drones
< 0.55lbs
(ex. Nano quadcopter drone)

Rotary-Wing
<4.4lbs
(ex. DJI Phantom)

Fixed-wing or Rotary-wing > 4.4 lbs
(ex. large helicopter/plane drone)

Teacher supervision required

Teacher supervision required

Demonstration Purposes by Licensed Pilot only

Indoor Use Only

Outdoor Use Only

Outdoor Use Only

License not necessary

sUAS (small Unmanned Aircraft Systems) License strongly recommended

sUAS (small Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Licensed pilot with insurance

Pre-Approval Form signed by Principal for each Unit, Checklist Completed

Pre-Approval Form signed by Principal for each Day, Checklist Completed

Pre-Approval Form for each day

Included in these regulations are the following guidelines for safety and acceptable use:

Safety

1.  Operation

  Operator must not operate UAV in a classroom or in other areas with occupancy and/or pedestrian traffic and must maintain a safe operating distance from crowds.

  Operator must not operate UAV within 3 miles of any airport without prior notification and confirmation from airport authorities.

  Operator must not operate UAV above an altitude of 400 ft above ground level.

  Operator must maintain safe control and line of sight with UAV during all stages of operation.

  Operator may not operate UAV over any property without first obtaining a signed consent form (available for download from District Webpage) by personnel with authority from the property owner or legal representative.

  Data collected by UAV can only be used for hobby (educational) purposes and may not be sold for profit.

  Students operating UAV have been trained in the use of UAV by the teacher, and are operating the UAV under the direct supervision of teacher.

  Operator assumes all risk to damage to property and bodily injury that may occur due to unsafe operation of district owned UAV.

  Autonomous drones must have a secondary safety control override.

  If operating drone off campus, safety equipment must be onsite. Safety equipment includes, but is not limited to a first aid kit and fire extinguisher.

2.  Maintenance

  UAV must be of relatively low power, be equipped with undamaged blade guards, weigh less than 0.55 lbs for indoor use and less than 4.4 lbs for outdoor use, and not be subject to FAA registration requirements.

  Pre-flight mechanical inspection must be completed prior to each flight to evaluate safety conditions of the UAV related to: condition of mechanical components (e.g. blade guards, blades, battery, etc), correct software configurations, and secondary safety controls (for autonomous flight).

3.  Conditional/Environmental

  UAVs are prohibited from flying over playing fields, seating and spectator areas, locations where and when people are present, as well as parking areas where and when people and/or vehicles are present.

  A pre-flight environmental factors assessment must be completed. This assessment must evaluate safety conditions related to: weather, air traffic, hazards to people and property at the time of flight.

  UAVs weighing more than 4.4lbs must be flown by a licensed pilot carrying aviation liability insurance.

Acceptable Use

1.  School-based applications and limitations, approval

  Clear academic connection between UAV technology and the approved course curriculum must be defined.

  Operation of UAV by students on school grounds is strictly prohibited except when used as part of the instructional/academic experience of a classroom in which the student operating a UAV has been trained in the use of the UAV by the teacher, and are operating the UAV under the direct supervision of teacher, for the direct application toward the curricular assignment.

  Operators must avoid areas reasonably considered private when recording or transmitting visual images. These areas include, but are not limited to restrooms, locker rooms, health treatment rooms, and residential areas.

2.  Recreational

  Use of Personal UAVs is strictly prohibited.

  Operation of UAVs at school events under the jurisdiction of the School District are strictly prohibited (with the exception of those used in the line of duty by law enforcement officials).

3.  Requirements/Procedures

  Operations of UAVs on school grounds must be approved in advance by the superintendent or designee.

  Teachers shall complete UAV checklist (cross ref to drone exhibit policy) prior to each UAV use and must submit this to the building principal. Schools shall keep UAV checklists in school records for the duration of the school year.

Inappropriate Use

Inappropriate uses of UAV include, but are not limited to, the following:

  Violating any local, state, or federal statutes or regulations (including FAA Advisory Circular 91-57);

Taking pictures of property or persons without consent;

  Violating safe operating protocols as defined in UAV user manual and classroom guidelines;

  Failing to follow a district policy while using the district's UAV technology or failing to follow any other policies or guidelines established by district administrators or their designees;

  Harassing, defined as persistently annoying of another, interfering with another's work, insulting, or attacking others;

Violations

District staff shall monitor for inappropriate use of district UAV technology as defined by this policy. Violators may be subject to disciplinary action, up to an including suspension and/or expulsion for students or suspension and/or termination for employees.

Adopted May 31, 2018