AP 7:140 - Search and Seizure

July 2017 7:140-AP

Administrative Procedure - Use of Metal Detectors for Student Safety

Nothing in this procedure shall limit the authority of school officials to search a student in accordance with School Board policy 7:140, Search and Seizure. All property removed as a result of this procedure that may be legitimately brought onto District property will be returned to the individual. Property removed from a student, possession of which violates Board policy, shall be confiscated and the student disciplined in accordance with Board policy.

Students who fail to cooperate with school personnel performing their duties may be subject to discipline for insubordination. Individuals who fail to cooperate will be asked to leave District property.

Metal Detectors

Metal detectors may be used when any one of the following occurs: (1) the administration has reasonable suspicion that a weapon is in the possession of unidentified students, (2) weapons or dangerous objects were found at school, on school property, or in the vicinity of a school, (3) violence involving weapons has occurred at a school or on school property, at school functions, or in a school’s vicinity, or (4) a mass search takes place according to the District’s standards for when and how metal detector searches are to be conducted. The Building Principal shall obtain the Superintendent’s permission before using a metal detector. The reasons supporting the use of a metal detector shall be documented.

Signs will be posted to inform individuals that they will be required to submit to a screening for metal as a condition of entering District property. The screening will be conducted by District staff who may be assisted by law enforcement officials.

An individual will be asked to remove metal objects from his or her person prior to use of a metal detecting device. If, after the removal of metal objects, the metal detector activates, the individual will be asked to double-check that he/she removed all metal objects on his or her person, and the metal detecting device will be used again. If the metal detector activates a second time, the individual may be subjected to a pat-down search.

School personnel may inspect the contents of any briefcase, knapsack, purse, or parcel that activates the metal detector for the limited purpose of determining whether a weapon is concealed therein.

Pat-Down Search

When feasible, a pat-down search should be conducted: (1) outside the view of others, including students; (2) in the presence of a school administrator or adult witness; and (3) by a certificated employee or liaison police officer of the same sex as the student.

A pat-down search conducted by school personnel shall be limited to clothing for the purpose of discovering items that may have activated the metal detecting device. If school personnel conducting a pat-down search feel an object that may have activated the metal detecting device or may be other prohibited contraband, the individual will be asked to remove it.

Immediately following a pat-down search, a written report shall be made by the school authority who conducted the pat-down search, and given to the Superintendent.