Clovis Unified Installs Cloud Connected Cameras on Bus Fleet

Clovis Unified completed an upgrade of surveillance cameras across its fleet of more than 160 school buses, a move district leaders announced on November 18. The new system is cloud connected and uses Verkada’s security platform with artificial intelligence features, enabling staff to view live or stored video from an app or a computer and to search footage by bus number, time or location. The district said the technology allows administrators to see where a bus currently is and where it has been, and that footage is retained in the cloud for 30 days before being overwritten.

The upgrade is intended to streamline routine work and shorten response times when incidents occur. District officials said the system saves staff hours previously spent waiting for buses to return to the yard, and should improve the speed of investigations into student safety or operational incidents. For parents and school staff in Fresno County, the change could mean quicker answers after on bus events and faster resolution of safety concerns.

Technically the system also permits location based searches, for example by entering an address to pull up buses that were in that area at a given time. The combination of video and location data creates a richer record for investigators and administrators, and reflects a broader trend in public agencies adopting cloud based surveillance tools with artificial intelligence capabilities.

The move raises policy questions that local elected officials and the community will need to address. Cloud storage and artificial intelligence features create potential data security and privacy risks that hinge on access controls, audit logs, and retention practices. The district’s 30 day retention period sets a clear limit for routine storage, but officials and residents may want additional clarity on who may access footage, how long footage is preserved for active investigations, and what safeguards exist against unauthorized use.

Those governance issues intersect with school board oversight and local civic engagement. Decisions about surveillance and data policy are typically made by elected trustees and administrative leaders, and they can become focal points in school board meetings and elections. Parents and community members in Fresno County have avenues to seek transparency, request information, and push for policy changes through public comment at board meetings and public records requests.

Clovis Unified’s upgrade offers operational benefits and a new set of governance responsibilities. As the technology is deployed, the district’s handling of access, security and transparency will shape public trust and the practical outcomes for student safety across Fresno County.