5011 (JIH) - Searches of Students, Student’s Property & School Owned Property
5011 (JIH) Searches of Students, Student’s Property & School Owned Property 5011 (JIH)
Our district is committed to a safe, supportive learning environment where students can thrive.
This policy ensures school safety while respecting student rights, promoting responsibility, and
maintaining trust. By establishing clear guidelines for searches, we uphold fairness and
accountability, fostering a secure and positive school experience for all.
This policy ensures school safety while respecting student rights, promoting responsibility, and
maintaining trust. By establishing clear guidelines for searches, we uphold fairness and
accountability, fostering a secure and positive school experience for all.
I. Searches of Students and Students’ Property: A student is subject to search by District staff if
reasonable grounds exist to suspect that evidence of a violation of the law or school rules will
be uncovered. Except for emergency or unique situations, searches will be conducted by school
administrators.
reasonable grounds exist to suspect that evidence of a violation of the law or school rules will
be uncovered. Except for emergency or unique situations, searches will be conducted by school
administrators.
A. Establishing Reasonable Grounds. The following review of the basis for
search should occur before conducting a search:
1. Identify a) the student’s suspicious conduct, behavior, or activity; b) the source of
the information; and c) the reliability of the source of the information.
2. If suspicion could be confirmed, would such conduct be a violation of the law or
school rules?
B. Conducting Searches of Individuals. If the principal/designee determines that
reasonable grounds exist to search a student’s clothing, personal effects, desk, locker,
assigned storage area, or automobile, a search may be conducted. All searches will be
conducted in as private a manner as possible by authorized school officials, and when
appropriate, in the presence of the accused students. All searches will be conducted by
at least two school officials, one of which must be the same sex as the person to be
searched.
1. School officials may search a student by asking the student to remove all items
from his/her pocket(s), handbag, backpack, gym bag, and the like.
2. A pat-down search of a person may be conducted by a school official of the same
sex on the basis of reasonable suspicion that such person may be in possession
of contraband. Additionally, a metal detecting device may be used during the
search process.
3. Strip searches are forbidden. No clothing, except cold-weather outer garments,
will be removed before or during a search.
4. If a student refuses to cooperate in a search, the student will be detained until the
student’s parents or guardians consent to a search. If the parent or guardian
cannot be reached in a reasonable time, or if the parent/guardian refuses consent,
the principal may contact the police department for assistance with the search.
5. Students will not be physically detained unless school officials deem them to be a
danger to themselves or others.
6. If school officials suspect that a search or investigation will result in a serious
criminal charge, then the school official will contact the police department for
assistance.
II. Locker and Other School Property Searches.
A. Lockers, desks, and storage areas are the property of the school district, not the
student. The users of lockers, desks, and other storage and compartment areas
have no reasonable expectation of privacy from school employees as to the contents
of those areas. Such areas may be subjected to searches at any time with or
without reasonable suspicion. Students are not to use any school area or property
to contain anything that should not be at school. When assigned a locker, desk, or
storage area, a student shall be responsible for its proper care.
B. Administrative inspections may be conducted at any time for the purpose of locating
misplaced library books, textbooks, or other school property or to ensure that all
lockers, desks, or storage areas are being kept clean and free from potential health
or safety hazards.
C. School staff shall report a student’s suspicious activity to the principal prior to
initiating a search, except in emergency situations when the risk of harm to students
or staff demands immediate action.
D. During a search of student lockers, desks, etc., if the school official conducting the
search discovers any container within the locker which may conceal contraband, the
container may be searched according to the District’s procedure governing searches
of students and their property. A “container” for the purpose of this policy may
include, but is not limited to, an article of clothing, a handbag, backpack, gym bag, or
any other item within which contraband material may be concealed.
search discovers any container within the locker which may conceal contraband, the
container may be searched according to the District’s procedure governing searches
of students and their property. A “container” for the purpose of this policy may
include, but is not limited to, an article of clothing, a handbag, backpack, gym bag, or
any other item within which contraband material may be concealed.
E. The District may determine reasonable grounds for a search by using appropriately
placed cameras that are duly noted to the public, metal detectors, and by the use of
trained canines in cooperation with appropriate law enforcement agencies.
placed cameras that are duly noted to the public, metal detectors, and by the use of
trained canines in cooperation with appropriate law enforcement agencies.
III. Search of Student Vehicles on School Property. Students recognize that parking their
vehicles on school property is a privilege and not a right. As part of this privilege, school
officials may search a student’s vehicle while parked on school property if the official has
reasonable suspicion that a violation of school rules or the law exists. Students consent to
having their vehicles searched by parking in school parking lots.
vehicles on school property is a privilege and not a right. As part of this privilege, school
officials may search a student’s vehicle while parked on school property if the official has
reasonable suspicion that a violation of school rules or the law exists. Students consent to
having their vehicles searched by parking in school parking lots.
In situations when student’s vehicles are parked on public property and school officials have
reasonable suspicion that a violation of law exists, those officials will notify law enforcement
authorities.
Search of Social Media Accounts.
School personnel are permitted to investigate alleged misconduct based on activity associated
with a student’s social media account. During the investigation into a student’s alleged
misconduct, school officials may request that a student VOLUNTARILY share a printed or
electronic copy of specific communication from the student’s social media account that is
relevant to the ongoing investigation.
School personnel shall not:
-
- Require or request a student or a prospective student to disclose or to provide access to
personal social media accounts through the student’s username, password, or other
means of authentication that provides access. - Require or request a student or a prospective student to access a personal social media
account in the presence of a school employee in a manner that allows the employee to
observe the social media account - Compel a student to add anyone to the list of contacts associated with his or her social
media account - Require, request, suggest, or cause a student to change the privacy settings associated
with a personal social media account - Take action or threaten to take action against a student for refusing to disclose
information related to social media accounts.
- Require or request a student or a prospective student to disclose or to provide access to
Adopted: 11/2007
Revised: 11/2008, 1/2016. 5/2025