I. SEARCHES IN GENERAL

A. Reasonable and Articulable Suspicion: A search of a student will be justified when there are reasonable grounds for the suspicion that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating the law or school district policy, rules, or regulations affecting school order.

Reasonable suspicion may be formed by considering factors such as the following:

1. Eyewitness observations by employees;
2. Information received from reliable sources;
3. Suspicious behavior by the student; or
4. The student’s past history and school record, although this factor alone is not sufficient to provide the basis for reasonable suspicion.

B. Reasonable Scope: A search will be permissible in its scope or intrusiveness when the measures adopted are reasonably related to the objectives of the search. Reasonableness of scope or intrusiveness may be determined based on factors such as the following:

1. Age of the students;
2. Sex of the student;
3. Nature of the infraction; and
4. The emergency requiring the search without delay.

II. TYPES OF SEARCHES

A. Personal Searches:

1. A student's person and/or personal effects (e.g., purse, backpack, etc.) may be searched when a school official has reasonable suspicion to believe the student is in possession of illegal or contraband items or has violated school district policy, rules, regulations, or the law affecting school order. 

2. Personally intrusive searches will require more compelling circumstances to be considered reasonable​.​

a. Pat-Down Search: If a pat-down search or a search of a student's garments (such as jackets, socks, pockets, etc.) is conducted, it will be conducted in private by a school official of the same sex as the student and with another adult witness of the same sex present, when feasible.

b. A more intrusive search, short of a strip search. of the student's person, handbags, book bags, etc., is permissible in emergency situations when the health or safety of students, employees, or visitors are threatened. Such a search may only be conducted in private by a school official of the same sex as the student, with an adult of the same sex present unless the health or safety of the students will be endangered by the delay which may e caused by following these procedures.

​B. Locker and Desk Inspections:
Although school lockers and desks are temporarily assigned to individual students, they remain the property of the school district at all times. The school district has a reasonable and valid interest in insuring the lockers and desks are properly maintained. For this reason, lockers and desks are subject to unannounced inspections and students have no legitimate expectations of privacy in the locker or desk. Periodic inspections of all or a random selection of lockers or desks may be conducted by school officials in the presence of the student or another individual. Any contraband discovered during such searches will be confiscated by school officials and may be turned over to law enforcement officials.

The contents of a student’s locker or desk (coat, backpack, purse, etc.) may be searched when a school official has reasonable and articulable suspicion that the contents contain illegal or contraband items or evidence of a violation of law or school policy or rule. Such searches should be conducted in the presence of another adult witness when feasible.

C. Automobile Searches:
Students are permitted to park on school premises as a matter of privilege, not of right. The school retains authority to conduct routine patrols of the student parking lots. The interior of a student's automobile on the school premises may be searched if the school official has reasonable and articulable suspicion to believe that illegal, unauthorized, or contraband items are contained inside.

Adopted: 7/87
Reviewed: 5/11; 3/12; 10/14; 1/15; 10/17; 9/20
Revised: 9/09; 7/13; 11/23
Related Policy: 502.1; 502.2; 502.2-R; 502.3; 502.3-R; 502.4; 502.4-E
IASB Reference: 502.08-R(1)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE SEARCH & SEIZURE CHECKLIST

What factors caused you to have a reasonable suspicion that the search of this student or the student's effects or automobile would turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating the law, school policy, rules, or regulations affecting school order?

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT:

• By whom:                         
• Date/Time:                                                             
• Place:                    
• What was seen: 

INFORMATION FROM RELIABLE SOURCE:

• From whom:
• Time received: 
• How information was received: 
• Who received the information: 
• Describe information: 

SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR:

• Explain: 
• Time of search: 
• Location of search: 
• Student told purpose of search: 
• Consent of student requested: 

WAS THE SEARCH CONDUCTED REASONBLY IN TERMS OF SCOPE AND INTRUSIVENESS:

• What were you searching for: 
• Where did you search: 
• Sex of student: 
• Age of student: 
• Exigency of the situation: 
• What type of search was being conducted: 
• Who conducted the search: 
• Position and Sex: 
• Witnesses: 

EXPLANATION OF SEARCH:

• Describe the time and location of the search: 
• Describe exactly what was searched:
• What did the search yield: 
• What was seized:
• Were any materials turned over to law enforcement officials: 
• Were parents notified of the search including the reason for it and the scope:                                                                      

Adopted: 8/02
Reviewed: 5/11; 3/12; 7/13; 10/14; 1/15; 10/17; 9/20
Revised: 10/06; 2/21; 10/23
Related Policy: 502.1; 502.2; 502.2-R; 502.3; 502.3-R; 502.4; 502.4-R
IASB Reference: 502.8-E(1)