I don’t get it. People sure got cranked about the now-postponed change in the Onteora music program schedule — and I do understand their consternation, and we’re certainly in favor of more musical opportunities for students — but still, very few have spoken out about the installation of surveillance cameras in the hallways at the Middle/High School complex. Neither pro nor con. The Onteora board, which was sandbagged by the $130,000 purchase (with 30-35 percent being reimbursable) by the former interim superintendent, expressed its own outrage and has been working on the policy for the use of the cameras in a responsible manner, and the board tried, solicited opinion, held open public forums, was ready for a deluge of letters and irate individuals. But no one came forward. The board set aside 30 minutes for comment at its last meeting and shut it down after ten, when no one appeared. Sure, we ran an op ed piece by Alan Sussman lamenting that our children will now be watched by the state. No reaction.

We’ve been concerned that there was no debate on whether to even have the cameras in the first place, a debate that was preempted by the purchase of the equipment without the school board’s knowledge and consent. We thought that should have been asked, even after the purchase. But no reaction has been forthcoming.

Perhaps it’s because observation cameras are ubiquitous in our society anyway. We’re constantly recorded on video on the streets — the Village of Catskill has had observation cameras on Main Street for over a decade — in stores, at events…we’re obviously used to it. Your iPhone traces your every movement. Maybe we even like it, given the spectacle of so many making fools of themselves on youtube and other social media. Sure, put me on television, I want to be famous, no matter for what. See me picking my nose? Scratching my private parts? Lighting that doob…oops…that’s entertainment…innocent until you offend.

But in the schools we should be learning the very real difference between commanding respect and demanding respect. Between respect and fear. So, with surveillance, we hope that the students will not engage in the bad behavior, bullying, vandalism, fighting and such because they will fear being caught, relying on spying on them to instill that fear. In effect, we’re trying to demand their respect. Instilling the trust that will command their respect is a far more difficult task, but one in which you’d like the schools to engage. ++