STUDENT INTERROGATIONS, SEARCHES AND ARRESTS

The School Committee recognizes its responsibility to ensure that discipline is maintained in the schools and that a safe, orderly environment conducive to the educational process is preserved. Therefore, school officials may conduct reasonable searches of students when, in their judgment, there is reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will reveal evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the policies or regulations of the school. The search must be reasonably related in scope to the circumstances which precipitated the search and must not be excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the alleged infraction.

The School Committee authorizes school officials to inspect a student's locker and/or desk when officials have reason to believe that the locker or desk is improperly used for the storage of any substance or item which is in violation of the law or policies or regulations of the schools. When deemed necessary for the general welfare of the school, searches of all lockers and desks, or random searches , may be conducted by school officials.

Cross Reference: JI - STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Adopted: AUGUST 17, 1994