Questioning and Searches of Students

CODE: JIH

Maine School Administrative District No. 31

QUESTIONING AND SEARCHES OF STUDENTS

The School Board seeks to maintain a safe and orderly environment in the schools. Building Principals and/or their designees are authorized to question and/or search students in accordance with this policy and accompanying administrative procedures.

Students, their personal property, and their vehicles may be searched upon reasonable suspicion that they possess any items or substances which are prohibited by law, Board policies, and/or school rules, or which interfere with the operations, discipline, or general welfare of the school.

When special circumstances exist, including, but not limited to a suspected ongoing violation of the Board’s drug/alcohol or weapons policies, or when a potential threat to safety is identified, school administrators may search groups of students or the entire student body with out individualized suspicion.

Student use of all school storage facilities, including, but not limited to lockers, desks and parking lots, is a privilege granted by the school. All storage facilities are school property and remain under the control, custody, and supervision of the school. Students have no expectation of privacy in school storage facilities or any items placed in such storage facilities. Building Principals and/or their designees have the authority to inspect and search storage facilities and their contents on a random basis, with or without reasonable suspicion, and without notice or consent.

If a search produces evidence that a student has violated or is violating the law, Board policies and/or school rules, such evidence may be seized and impounded by Building Principals and appropriate disciplinary action may be taken. Evidence may be forwarded to law enforcement authorities as required by law or as deemed appropriate by the school administrator.

School staff, students, and parents shall be informed of this policy on an annual basis through handbooks and/or other means selected by the Building Principal.

The Superintendent is authorized to develop and implement, with input from legal counsel, administrators, staff and others as appropriate, any administrative procedures necessary to carry out this policy. Such administrative procedures shall be subject to Board approval.

Cross Reference: JIK-R- Questioning and searches of Students- Administrative Procedure

JICIA- Weapons, Violence, and School Safety

JK- Student Discipline

KLG- Relations with Law Enforcement Authorities

First Reading: 05/17/2006

Second Reading: 06/21/2006

Adopted: 06/21/2006