LAUREL SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

Search and Seizure                                                                                                                                  Policy #5145.12

______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

A pupil’s person and possessions may be searched by a school official provided that the official has reasonable grounds to suspect that the search will turn up evidence that the pupil has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school.  Under no circumstances shall a search be conducted based solely upon an anonymous tip and/or a rumor that contraband is present.  The extent or scope of the search shall be reasonably related to the objectives of the search and not excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the pupil and the nature of the infraction.  A physical search may only be conducted by a staff member of the same sex as the pupil.  Before instituting such a search, except in cases of emergency, the principal shall try to inform the parents/guardians and request their presence.

 

School personnel shall not conduct strip searches or body cavity searches of any pupils under any circumstances.

 

Searches for Controlled Dangerous Substances/Drug Paraphernalia/Alcohol/Firearms/Other Deadly Weapons

 

Searches conducted by staff when there is suspicion that laws and policies on safe and drug free schools are being violated shall be based on the reasonable grounds required by this policy.  When law enforcement officials conduct the search, the more stringent grounds required by law must be applied.  See policies 5131.6 and 5131.7.

 

 

First Reading:      February 2008

Adopted:

 

Legal References:               N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60 et al       Disclosure of juvenile information; penalties for disclosure

                                                N.J.S.A. 18A:11-1                 General mandatory powers and duties

                                                N.J.S.A. 18A:36-19.2            Student lockers or other storage facility; inspection; notice to students

                                                N.J.S.A. 18A:37-6.1              Strip and body cavity searches of pupils

                                                N.J.A.C. 6:29-10.1 et seq     Safe and drug free schools