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NEPN/NSBA Code: JIH-R MSAD #37 POLICY QUESTIONING AND
SEARCHES OF STUDENTS
The purpose of this administrative procedure is to provide guidelines for the conduct of student questioning and searches by principals and/or their designees. These are guidelines only and may be adjusted within reasonable and lawful limits on a case-by-case basis. A. Questioning by principals and/or their
designees: 1.
Principals and/or
their designees are under no obligation to notify a student’s
parents/guardians prior to questioning a student regarding alleged violations
of Board policies, school rules and/or federal/state laws. If law enforcement officers are involved,
refer to policy KLG – Relations with Law Enforcement Authorities. 2.
Principals and/or
their designees shall inform the student of the reasons for the questioning
and provide an opportunity for the student to respond to any
allegations. Principals and/or their
designees shall make a reasonable effort to question the student in a
location out of the sight and hearing of other students. 3.
If a student
fails to cooperate, lies, misleads or threatens any person during
questioning, he/she may be subject to additional disciplinary action. B. Searches of Students and/or Personal
Property in Students’ Immediate Possession 1.
Principals and/or
their designees are authorized to search students and/or personal property in
the students’ immediate possession when, in their judgment, there are reasonable
grounds to suspect that a student has violated or is violating the Board
policies, school rules and/or federal/state laws. 2.
All searches of
students and/or personal property shall be authorized and conducted by a
principal and/or his/her designee in the presence of a witness, except where
the circumstances render the presence of a witness impractical. 3.
Searches should
be reasonably related to the suspected violation and no more intrusive than
necessary to discover the evidence for which the search was instigated. Searches may include the student’s outer
clothing (e.g., pockets, jacket, shoes, hat) and personal belongings (e.g.,
purse, backpack, gym bag, lunch bag).
If the search discloses evidence, a broader search may be justified. 4. Searches which disclose evidence that a student has violated Board policies or school rules will be addressed through school disciplinary procedures. Evidence of violation of federal/state laws may result in school disciplinary action and/or be forwarded to law enforcement authorities for possible investigation/prosecution. 5. Principals and/or their designees are required to document all searches and items seized/impounded on the Student Search Form or by another reasonable method. C. Searches of Lockers, Desks and Other School Facilities 1. School staff, students and parents shall be informed of this policy/procedure on an annual basis. 2. Principals and/or their designees shall consult with the Superintendent prior to conducting random searches. 3. Searches of individual student lockers, desks or other storage facilities and their contents based upon reasonable suspicion will be conducted in the presence of the student and a witness, if practical under the circumstances of the search. 4. Searches which disclose evidence that a student has violated Board policies or school rules will be addressed through school disciplinary procedures. Evidence of violation of federal/state laws may result in school disciplinary action and/or be forwarded to law enforcement authorities for possible investigation/ prosecution. 5. Principals and/or their designees are required to document all searches and items seized/impounded on the Student Search Form or by another reasonable method. D. Patrolling of Parking Lots 1. Students may drive vehicles to school and park in designated areas in accordance with school rules. Principals and/or their designees retain the authority to patrol parking lots. 2. If principals and/or their designees have a reasonable suspicion that a vehicle which a student has parked at school contains evidence that the student has or is violating a federal/state law and/or there is a substantial threat to the welfare and safety of the schools, law enforcement authorities will be requested to render assistance in accordance with Board policy KLG – Relations with Law Enforcement Authorities. E. Involvement of Law Enforcement Authorities 1. Principals and/or their designees have the discretion to request the assistance of law enforcement authorities in accordance with Board policy. Cross Reference: JIH-E – Student Search Checklist KLG – Relations with Law Enforcement Authorities Adopted: August 30, 2000 |
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