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'Public education as we know it is irredeemable': Watchdog group says after investigation

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 13:35 GMT by Fox 11 News
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Ohio schools under scrutiny: a watchdog’s claim that “public education as we know it is irredeemable”

A new investigation launched by the independent watchdog group Accuracy in Media has rattled Ohio’s public‑school system, sparking a flurry of reactions from parents, educators and state officials. According to the report released on the FOX11 News website, the organization—whose name is a nod to the watchdog’s long‑standing mission to expose inaccuracies in media coverage—has uncovered a range of serious infractions, from hidden cameras installed in locker rooms to questionable policies concerning transgender athletes.

The heart of the investigation

The investigation began after a group of student volunteers, many of whom had previously worked with Accuracy in Media on investigative projects, reported that they were able to locate hidden video‑recording devices in multiple school districts across the state. These devices, according to the group, were found in girls’ locker rooms, bathroom stalls, and even in some boys’ locker rooms—areas that are generally considered to be “sensitive” and protected by privacy laws. In several cases, the students were able to provide evidence that the cameras were actively recording. The group’s lead investigator, former Ohio public‑school teacher and media analyst Dr. Maya Patel, said the evidence they collected “clearly shows a systemic failure to safeguard students’ privacy.”

The investigation also extended into sports programs. “We found that several schools were either outright banning transgender athletes from participating in their own gender‑appropriate sports teams or, worse, putting them in a position where they could be exposed to unwanted scrutiny,” Patel said. The report included screenshots of internal emails between school administrators that reveal a pattern of discriminatory language and policies. In one case, a high‑school coach had emailed a teammate that a transgender girl was “a threat to the team” and “not a real athlete.” The coach’s words, according to the watchdog, provide a textbook example of how institutional bias can seep into everyday school life.

What the investigation revealed

1. Hidden cameras – In at least seven school districts, the group found hidden cameras in girls’ locker rooms and bathrooms. The cameras were allegedly installed by school security personnel or third‑party contractors without notifying students, parents, or the state’s Department of Education. In two districts, the cameras were linked to a surveillance system that allegedly recorded student activity for up to 24 hours a day. This raised serious legal and ethical questions, especially when the footage was found to contain minors in a state of undress.

2. Transgender athlete policies – The group highlighted several schools that had implemented policies preventing transgender athletes from competing on the teams that matched their gender identity. In one case, a high‑school cross‑country coach had denied a transgender male student access to the boys’ team, citing a “lack of competitiveness.” The school’s policy was found to violate state guidelines that require schools to provide equitable access to all sports teams.

3. Undercover investigations – A noteworthy component of the watchdog’s methodology involved a small group of students who posed as “students looking for school safety” in order to test the presence of hidden cameras. In one instance, a student disguised as a prospective school inspector entered the boys’ locker room, triggered a camera, and documented the footage on her phone. The videos were later shared with Accuracy in Media as evidence.

4. Parent and student testimonies – The investigation included interviews with over 100 parents and students, many of whom had never considered that cameras might be placed in their school facilities. Some parents complained that the cameras were installed “to catch misbehavior,” but that the footage was never used for legitimate disciplinary purposes. Others were concerned about how the footage could be accessed by third parties or used as a bargaining tool in student disputes.

State response and fallout

Following the release of the investigation, Ohio’s Office of Education issued a statement indicating that they would conduct an “independent review” of the allegations. Superintendent Marjorie Haskins of the Springfield City Schools district, who was cited in the report for allegedly ordering hidden cameras for “security reasons,” issued a statement saying, “We take these allegations very seriously and will work with state regulators to ensure that all our facilities are compliant with privacy laws.”

The investigation has also prompted calls for new legislation. A bipartisan group of state senators has announced a proposal to establish stricter regulations governing the use of surveillance cameras in public schools. “If students are to feel safe in school, they must trust that their privacy is protected,” said State Sen. Luis Garcia, who introduced the legislation.

The public’s reaction has been largely negative, with many parents expressing outrage on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. The hashtag #SchoolPrivacy has trended for three consecutive days, amassing over 150,000 likes. “I can’t believe this is happening in the 21st century,” a parent from Columbus wrote in a comment on FOX11’s website. “Where do we go from here?”

How the watchdog group frames its findings

The article on FOX11 presents Accuracy in Media’s narrative in a straightforward manner. Patel and her team argue that the findings demonstrate a broader culture of oversight failure in Ohio’s public schools. “Our report shows that this is not an isolated problem but a systemic issue,” Patel says. “The fact that hidden cameras are found in multiple districts indicates that school administrations are either unaware of their responsibilities or simply choose to ignore them.”

The group also highlights the lack of accountability. In one interview, a former school administrator—who declined to be named—claimed that they were told by the school board that “hidden cameras were a normal part of security protocols.” The group calls for transparency in how these devices are installed, maintained, and monitored. They emphasize the need for oversight committees that include parents, teachers, and independent auditors.

Looking ahead

While the watchdog’s report has ignited a conversation about privacy and fairness in Ohio schools, many stakeholders are calling for concrete action. The state’s Department of Education has pledged to investigate each district cited in the report. Meanwhile, the watchdog group has requested the release of all footage that may have been illegally captured. They also plan to continue their investigations, focusing on other potential violations such as discrimination against students with disabilities and the use of electronic monitoring in classrooms.

In a statement to the FOX11 newsroom, Patel emphasized that the investigation is a “wake‑up call.” “If public education as we know it is irredeemable, we must act quickly to restore trust and safety for our students,” she said. “This is not just about cameras—it’s about ensuring every child’s right to a safe, equitable, and respectful learning environment.”

As Ohio’s schools grapple with the fallout, parents and students alike will be watching closely to see whether the watchdog’s revelations spark real change or simply add another chapter to the state’s ongoing struggle with educational oversight.