226-AR. Searches

Searches of Students

Searches of students, their lockers, cars, or other possessions may be conducted by District officials when there is a reasonable suspicion that items in violation of District policies, rules, regulations or local, state or federal law will be found (hereafter referred to as ‘policies or laws’).

Searches of Lockers

Principals and Assistant Principals or their designees are authorized to conduct searches of students’ lockers any time there is reasonable suspicion that their lockers may contain any item or items, the possession of which constitutes violation of policies or laws.

Students should keep their assigned lockers closed and locked against incursion by other students. The contents of an assigned locker are presumed to belong to the assignee and are his or her responsibility. No student may use a locker as a depository for a substance or object which is prohibited by policies or laws or which constitutes a threat to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants of the school building or the building itself.

The Principal or Assistant Principal or designee will be present whenever a student locker is inspected. The Principal will be responsible for the safekeeping and proper disposal of any substance, object or material found to be improperly stored in a student’s locker.

The Principal will be responsible for the prompt recording in writing of each locker inspection. Such record shall include the reason(s) for the search, persons present, objects found and their disposition.

The Principal or Assistant Principal or designee will open a student’s locker for inspection for any one of the following reasons:

1. at the request of a law enforcement officer and only then on presentation of a duly authorized search warrant;
2. with the intelligently and voluntarily given consent of the student; or
3. with reasonable suspicion of violation of policies or laws.

Searches of Students’ Motor Vehicles

A motor vehicle search may still be conducted when:

1. it is parked on school property; and
2. there is reasonable suspicion of the presence of any item or items, possession of which constitutes a violation of policies or laws.

General Searches

The Superintendent may order a general search of lockers and hallways in the school and parking lots, including searches by random canine sniff when necessary, to promote the health, welfare and safety of the School community.

The district may use the following factors utilized by the Superintendent to determine whether to undertake a general search, including but not limited to canine sniff searches when:

1. the search is not overly intrusive;
2. consideration is given to the students’ privacy interests; and
3. students and parents have been provided with notice that general searches of the nature contemplated may occur.

Notice to Staff, Students and Parents

Notification to staff, students and parents of the contents of Policy No. 226, “Searches” and this Administrative Regulation will be done through the following method of communication:

1. student handbooks;
2. the information section of the District calendar;
3. mailing to parents at least once per school year; and
4. discussion in student assemblies and/or discussion over the video distribution system with the student body.
   

Adopted: April 1, 2003