Greeley-Evans School District 6 has changed its policy and will allow parents to see school bus video involving their children if they are part of incidents on a school bus.

The change in policy came after District 6 parent Mike Moskalski told The Tribune he was frustrated the district would not let him see video-taped evidence district officials used to suspend Moskalski's child after an altercation in April on a school bus. Moskalski's son was suspended for 10 days. Moskalski contended his son was defending himself and did not provoke the incident. The other student involved in the altercation received the same suspension. Moskalski's son's suspension ended two days ago. When Moskalski's son was suspended, district officials told Moskalski that the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act precluded the school from allowing Moskalski to see the tape of his son's incident.

Still, Moskalski is pleased with the school district's decision to change its policy.

"I'm glad they did it," he said. "I'm going to offer them some praise."

District 6 spokesman Roger Fiedler said the district chose to change its policy in response to the questions raised by Moskalski. He said the district reviewed its policies and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

"We agreed it would be the better thing to do," he said.

Moskalski said while he knew the change in policy would not change his son's situation, he thinks it is the right thing to do.

"I think it will make things better for everyone," he said. "A parent can't say 'not my kid,' now."

The new policy will allow parents of students who receive disciplinary actions for misbehavior on a school bus to view security video of that incident.

The district is still hammering out the details of how to implement the change in policy, but Fielder said if another incident were to occur before the end of the school year, the district would work with the parents of the students in that incident to ensure they have an opportunity to see the video evidence.

Fiedler said district officials are reviewing similar policies at other school districts in the state to find best practices. He said he was confident the district would have a fully-implemented policy by the start of next school year.

Greeley attorney Christopher Collins of Collins, Liu & Lyons told The Tribune last week that the issue is legally complex.

"They have an argument that these are public records," Collins said. "There is also argument that these are not educational records."

Moskalski said he had not secured the services of a lawyer to get the policy changed, but he was working mobilize parents to attend school board meetings and pressure the district to change.

He said he is relieved that effort won't be needed.

"It's good for everyone involved," he said.