Search and Seizure
BOARD POLICY 5145.12 PHILOSOPHY:
The Board of Trustees is committed to providing students and employees with a safe learning environment that is free from illicit drugs, alcohol, and weapons. To this end, the Board prohibits the presence of drugs, controlled substances, alcohol, weapons of any type, explosive devices, or any other intoxicant on District property or at any District sponsored event. Due to incidents which may occur that jeopardize the health, safety, ad welfare of students and staff, the Board recognizes the necessity of search and seizures of students, their property, or lockers by school officials. Students and parent/guardians shall be informed of this policy at the beginning of each school year.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY: All students are responsible for the security of any vehicle; locker, desk, bag or other item they possess or bring onto District property or to a District sponsored event. No student shall possess, place, keep, or maintain any article or material that is prohibited by law or District policy in lockers, vehicles, desks, bags or other items assigned to them or under their control while on District property or at a District sponsored event.
ALL SEARCHES: School officials may search individual students and their property (including vehicles) when there is a reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover evidence that the student is violating the law or the rules of the District or the school. The Board urges that discretion, good judgment, and common sense be exercised in all cases of search and seizure. Local police assistance shall be requested when needed. The parent/guardian of a student subjected to an individualized search shall be notified by the District as soon after the search as possible.
STUDENT LOCKERS: Because lockers are under the joint control of the student and District, school officials shall have the right and ability to open and inspect any school locker without student permission when they have reasonable suspicion that the search will disclose evidence of illegal possession or activity or when odors, smoke, fire and/or threats to student health, welfare or safety emanate from the locker. For health and safety reasons, a general inspection of school properties such as lockers and desks may be conducted on a regular basis with students standing by their lockers or desks. Any items contained in a locker shall be considered to be the property of the student to whom the locker was assigned.
USE OF TRAINED DOGS: In an effort to keep the work place and schools free of dangerous items, the District may utilize the services of non-aggressive trained detection canines to sniff out an alert to the presence of those substances prohibited by law or district policy, including firearms. These inspections shall be unannounced and made at the discretion of the principal or designee.