LOCKER AND PERSONAL SEARCHES

The school district must create a climate in the schools which assures the safety and welfare of all students. School authorities may search a student's locker or make a personal search and seize any illegal or contraband materials. Lockers belong to the school district; therefore, the locker and a student's property in the locker are subject to periodic administrative searches, and the district reserves the authority to search lockers without the consent of the student if necessary. All student lockers MUST have a school issued lock secured at all times. Any student locker found to be unsecured will have all items removed and placed in the office. Furthermore, no gym bags, backpacks, or any other items are to be placed on top of the lockers. There will be a $5.00 charge for retrieval of belongings.

Searches should be made under the following conditions:

A. Locker Searches

1. The Superintendent, Principal, and their designees have the right to inspect and search school property and equipment. They may also search students and their personal property in which the student has the reasonable expectation of privacy, when there is reasonable suspicion to believe such student or property contains illegal items or other items in violation of Board policy or dangerous to the school community. School authorities may seize evidence found in the search and disciplinary action may be taken. Evidence found which appears to be in violation of the law shall be reported to the appropriate authority.

2. If practical, the student should be given the opportunity to be present when a search of personal possessions of his/her locker is conducted, and if there is no reason to believe that his/her presence would be a threat to safety of the student or others.

B. Personal Searches
A personal search should be limited to a situation in which the administration has reasonable belief that the student is concealing evidence of an illegal act, contraband, or has violated a school rule. Dangerous items (such as firearms, weapons, knives) controlled substances are defined by Act 590 of 1971 as amended, and other items which may be used to disrupt substantially the educational process will be removed from the student's possession and will be reported and transmitted to the proper authorities.
1. An adult witness will be present when a personal search is conducted. 2. Students should be asked for their consent prior to the personal search. A search warrant should be obtained if a student objects to a personal search, unless there is a reasonable cause to believe that a dangerous weapon such as a gun or knife is being concealed.
3. A pat down search of a student's person should be done by a school official of the same sex and with an adult witness present.
C. Automobile Search 1. A search may be conducted if there is reasonable belief that controlled substance, gun or other contraband is present. 2. A blanket search of vehicles will not be conducted except in unusual circumstance, such as in the case of a bomb threat, etc. D. The Superintendent, Principals, and their designees may request the assistance of law enforcement officials to help conduct searches. Such searches may include the use of specially trained dogs. In the event that a problem is found, the party in question would have the right to legal counsel.

E. Questioning of students by non-school personnel shall be granted only with a court order directing such questioning, with permission of the parents of a student (or the student if above eighteen [18] years of age), or in response to a subpoena or arrest warrant. If the District makes a report to any law enforcement agency due to a court order, the principal or the principal’s designee shall make a good faith effort to contact the student’s parent, legal guardian, or other person having lawful control by court order, or person acting in loco parent is on student enrollment forms.