Protecting Our Most Vulnerable Students — Cameras for Safety in special education (SPED) Classrooms
Join Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) families advocating for transparent, secure video surveillance in special education settings — with strong privacy protections for students and staff.
Safety, accountability, and peace of mind
Our most vulnerable students — many of whom are nonverbal or unable to self-advocate — deserve the same transparency standards we expect in other public spaces.
Prevents unreported incidents
Many SPED students cannot verbalize what happens during the school day. Cameras add an essential layer of awareness.
Provides evidence when needed
Footage helps clarify the truth quickly when concerns arise — protecting everyone involved.
Protects students AND staff
Educators are protected from false claims. Students gain a safer environment. It's a win-win.
Proven in other states
Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, and West Virginia already require or permit cameras in SPED classrooms.
A respectful note: This is about building systems that help everyone — not about distrusting our dedicated educators. We believe transparency strengthens trust between schools and families.
Strong safeguards, by design
We're advocating for cameras the right way — with privacy protections built in from day one.
Add your name. Make our schools safer.
Every signature helps us bring this to CVESD board members and California legislators.
This Is Happening Across California.
Parents in Bakersfield and Visalia are fighting for the same thing. A petition in Bakersfield City School District has surpassed 6,000 signatures. A new effort has launched in Visalia Unified. California families are speaking — it's time Sacramento listened.
Ways to make a difference today
Pick one — every small action adds up.
Sign the petition
Add your name above and forward to your circle.
Contact your CVESD principal
A respectful, personal email goes a long way.
Email your legislators
Use our template to write to CA Assembly & Senate.
Write to CVCEO Leadership
The union representing classified staff including instructional assistants and paraprofessionals. Classified staff work most closely with our children. We're asking CVCEO to support a change that protects their members too.
Share with other parents
Most parents don't know this gap exists. Help us reach them.
Attend a board meeting
Public comment on the record creates real pressure.
Download letter templates
Ready-to-send letters for principals, board, & state reps.
For Community Members & Supporters — no SPED child required
Community Supporter — Principal Letter
Don't have a child in SPED? You can still speak up. Use this letter to encourage your local principal to support the initiative.
Community Supporter — Legislator Letter
Contact your state representative as a community member who believes every vulnerable student deserves safety.
Read the policies, laws, and examples
Everything we cite — so you can verify and share.
Why Districts Say No — And Why That Proves Our Point
In January 2026, the Bakersfield City School District responded to parent advocate Ashley Hopwood’s camera request. Their letter confirmed what we already knew: California state law is the barrier. That is not an argument against this campaign — it is the strongest possible case for state legislation.
BCSD Official Response Letter
Bakersfield City School District’s official denial confirming Ed. Code §51512 and collective bargaining as barriers
Our Point-by-Point Rebuttal
How every argument in the district’s letter actually supports the case for Senator Grove’s bill
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Independent Reporting Confirms It
EdSource's Sept. 8, 2026 investigation quotes BCSD spokesperson Tabatha Mills stating the district "cannot implement such a measure unilaterally" — independent confirmation, by a statewide outlet, of the same §51512 and collective-bargaining barriers in the district's letter to us. The same article reports that in a related Visalia case, aides reported suspected abuse in March 2024 but the affected parent wasn't notified until October 2025 — evidence that the existing adult-reporting chain isn't a substitute for camera transparency.
Credit: EdSource, Emma Gallegos · Opens in a new tab
“The district said it cannot act without state authority. We agree. That is why we need Sacramento to act.”
Your Voice Matters
Are you a CVESD parent, guardian, or community member affected by this issue? We want to hear from you — and with your permission, share your story.
All stories are kept confidential unless you give written permission to share. Anonymous submissions welcome.
Questions, stories, or want to help organize?
Send us a note — we read every message.