Students at Collingwood Collegiate Institute were filmed without their knowledge for the last five years.

The Simcoe County District School Board sent a letter to parents and posted a statement on the school’s website May 19 informing the community cameras had been installed in classrooms, an office and a storage area in the music department.

The letter states the cameras were installed by staff members to address issues of alleged instrument theft.

Superintendent Jackie Kavanagh said the cameras were not authorized by school administration or paid for by the board. She said they were discovered in November during a random health-and-safety inspection.

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She said the equipment was removed, and the OPP and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) were called in to investigate.

“When we find something out that might require investigation by Child and Youth Services and the OPP, we are to stand down while their investigation takes place,” she said. “We were investigating who installed the cameras. We have been working closely with the IPC these past months to ensure this matter is addressed appropriately.”

Asked if those involved were disciplined, Kavanagh said, “We have followed our progressive discipline. We have a policy and procedure on that.”

She said she couldn’t comment as to whether there were any instruments stolen from the music room. She said there is “no indication that the surveillance video was viewed by the respective staff.”

Kavanagh said they have video footage from August to November, 2016. The letter stated the recorded images will be disposed of.

“We take it very seriously, because there were a number of cameras,” she said. “We didn’t have any idea at that time how long the cameras have been in place. We’re estimating they’ve been there for five years.”