The board finally released the answers. We forced the transparency we demanded.
February 1, 2021
Final supporters
January 2021
Citizens Petition for School District Accountability
We are parents, students, and taxpayers in the Lockport City School District. The Lockport Board of Education functions on the basis of public trust. But that trust only works if there is accountability when mistakes are made. The district’s facial recognition surveillance project, now blocked under New York State law, was a mistake that cost taxpayers $2.7 million.
As a community we have a right to answers to three sets of questions and we are calling on the Board to answer these questions, in writing and publicly on the district Web site:
1.Financial Conflicts: Who made the decision to rely on the guidance of Anthony Olivo in developing the district’s security plan? When did the school district staff and board become aware that Mr. Olivo had a direct financial connection to SNTech, the company selling the facial recognition system? How was that conflict of interest brought to the Board’s attention?
2. False Alerts: How many times has the district’s Aegis system triggered false alerts of any kind? How many false gun alerts and how many false facial alerts? How many times has the Aegis system discovered the presence of any of the people in its data base of watched persons? How many people are in that data base and what criteria was used to put them in the system?
3. Investigating a Parent: In an email exchange obtained by the Union-Sun and Journal, Anthony Olivo and Rob LiPuma, the district technology director, discuss their investigation into the background of a district parent, Jim Shultz, who raised concerns about the project. That investigation included his employer, the college he went to, past associations, and other matters. In a meeting between with the newspaper’s staff that included Superintendent Michelle Bradley, Assistant Superintendent Deborah Coder openly bragged about the district staff’s investigation into Mr. Shultz’s background. How does the district justify its use of public resources to investigate the background of a parent solely on the basis of him raising questions about a district project?
We look forward to your prompt reply to these questions.
Updates
January 17, 2021
The silence from the Board remains loud. We are still digging for the truth behind the money they wasted.
Reached 100 supporters
January 17, 2021
12 Comments
Another question-Is this the representation/ leadership we want? Our kids have done less and have had much more repercussions!
Oppose school district funds used to investigate parents rejecting "facial recognition" system. Further, any persons involved in should be sanctioned and found pecuniary liable to repay funds misappropriated. In addition, the persons approving the purchase should be removed from their positions, and legal action taken against the agency (seller) of the system presented for school district wide use.
I really wish I lived in the Lockport school district, so I could sign this. I’ve been following this ever since it became public knowledge that the Lockport BOE was interested in this system. Everything was conducted with as much secrecy as they could manage. The 2.7 million could have been spent on so many other things, from building maintenance to textbooks to computer programs. And now they’ve “investigated “ Jim Schultz? They should be giving him a medal for his part in exposing this mess!
Waste of taxpayers money. Should be looking for ways to lower taxes. Our taxes are ridiculous in the City of Lockport!
I have ran for the school board and this was my major running platform, but due to the nature of those that vote in the election all those who voted on this debacle where elected minus one, and I hear she is doing a great job on holding accountable.
4111111111111111
I wish you luck
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The board finally released the answers. We forced the transparency we demanded.
February 1, 2021
Final supporters
January 2021
Citizens Petition for School District Accountability
We are parents, students, and taxpayers in the Lockport City School District. The Lockport Board of Education functions on the basis of public trust. But that trust only works if there is accountability when mistakes are made. The district’s facial recognition surveillance project, now blocked under New York State law, was a mistake that cost taxpayers $2.7 million.
As a community we have a right to answers to three sets of questions and we are calling on the Board to answer these questions, in writing and publicly on the district Web site:
1.Financial Conflicts: Who made the decision to rely on the guidance of Anthony Olivo in developing the district’s security plan? When did the school district staff and board become aware that Mr. Olivo had a direct financial connection to SNTech, the company selling the facial recognition system? How was that conflict of interest brought to the Board’s attention?
2. False Alerts: How many times has the district’s Aegis system triggered false alerts of any kind? How many false gun alerts and how many false facial alerts? How many times has the Aegis system discovered the presence of any of the people in its data base of watched persons? How many people are in that data base and what criteria was used to put them in the system?
3. Investigating a Parent: In an email exchange obtained by the Union-Sun and Journal, Anthony Olivo and Rob LiPuma, the district technology director, discuss their investigation into the background of a district parent, Jim Shultz, who raised concerns about the project. That investigation included his employer, the college he went to, past associations, and other matters. In a meeting between with the newspaper’s staff that included Superintendent Michelle Bradley, Assistant Superintendent Deborah Coder openly bragged about the district staff’s investigation into Mr. Shultz’s background. How does the district justify its use of public resources to investigate the background of a parent solely on the basis of him raising questions about a district project?
We look forward to your prompt reply to these questions.
Updates
January 17, 2021
The silence from the Board remains loud. We are still digging for the truth behind the money they wasted.
Reached 100 supporters
January 17, 2021
12 Comments
I am a concerned city of Lockport tax payer and want answers as to how and why this happened.
Another question-Is this the representation/ leadership we want? Our kids have done less and have had much more repercussions!
Oppose school district funds used to investigate parents rejecting "facial recognition" system. Further, any persons involved in should be sanctioned and found pecuniary liable to repay funds misappropriated. In addition, the persons approving the purchase should be removed from their positions, and legal action taken against the agency (seller) of the system presented for school district wide use.
I really wish I lived in the Lockport school district, so I could sign this. I’ve been following this ever since it became public knowledge that the Lockport BOE was interested in this system. Everything was conducted with as much secrecy as they could manage. The 2.7 million could have been spent on so many other things, from building maintenance to textbooks to computer programs. And now they’ve “investigated “ Jim Schultz? They should be giving him a medal for his part in exposing this mess!
Waste of taxpayers money. Should be looking for ways to lower taxes. Our taxes are ridiculous in the City of Lockport!
I have ran for the school board and this was my major running platform, but due to the nature of those that vote in the election all those who voted on this debacle where elected minus one, and I hear she is doing a great job on holding accountable.
4111111111111111
I wish you luck
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I am a concerned city of Lockport tax payer and want answers as to how and why this happened.