Searches by Staff
The right of inspection of students' school lockers is inherent in the authority granted school
committees and administrators. This authority may be exercised as needed in the interest of
safeguarding children, their own and school property.
Nevertheless, exercise of that authority by school officials places unusual demands upon their
judgment so as to protect each child's constitutional rights to personal privacy and protection
from coercion and to act in the best interest of all students and the schools.
Searches by school officials of students' automobiles or the student will be conducted in a way
that protects the students' rights consistent with the responsibility of the school district to provide
an atmosphere conducive to the educational process.
Searches of the student’s person (body search) that require physical contact or exposure shall be
conducted by the police department.
Interrogations by Police
The schools have legal custody of students during the school day and during hours of approved
extracurricular activities. It is the responsibility of the school administration to make an effort to
protect each student's rights with respect to interrogations by law enforcement officials.
Therefore:
1. When law enforcement officials find it necessary to question students during the school day
or periods of extracurricular activities, the school principal or their designee will be present
when possible. An effort will be made to contact the student's parent or guardian so that the
responsible individual may be notified of the situation.
2. If custody and/or arrest are involved, the principal will request that all procedural
safeguards, as prescribed by law, be observed by the law enforcement officials.
Adoption: 01/10/2006
Update History: 05/27/2014; 09/16/2026