JCAB: Searches of Property

Principals are authorized to search property if there is reasonable suspicion that district policies, rules or directives are being violated. In addition all lockers shall be subject to random searches without prior notice or reasonable suspicion. All searches by the principal shall be carried out in the presence of another adult witness.

Search of Lockers

Lockers in the district schools shall be under supervision of the principal. Students shall have no expectation of privacy in any school locker.

The combinations and/or keys to all locker locks shall be in the possession of the principal and stored in a place designed to guard against unauthorized access or use. The principal may search any locker at any time without notice. Students shall not place locks, other than those approved by the school, on any locker.

Searches of Property

Any person other than the principal who wishes to search a student's locker or property shall report to the principal before proceeding. In no event shall any person be permitted to search a student's locker or property without the principal's consent unless the person has a valid search warrant authorizing a search.

If a law enforcement officer desiring to search a student's locker or property has a search warrant, the principal shall permit the search which shall be made in the presence of the principal.

Prohibited items found during the search shall remain in the custody of either the building principal or the law enforcement officer. If any items are turned over to law enforcement officials the principal shall receive a receipt for the items.

A written report of each search, except random locker searches, shall be made by the principal, and submitted to the superintendent. The superintendent shall keep a copy of the written report on file.

Whenever the principal is mentioned in this policy, it shall be construed so as to include the superintendent "or designated representative."