5145.12 5145.12Students
Search and Seizure
Desks, School Lockers and other School Property
Desks and school lockers are property of the schools. The right to inspect desks and lockers and other school property assigned to students may be exercised by school officials or law enforcement officials authorized by school officials in order to safeguard students, their property and school property, with reasonable care for the Fourth Amendment rights of students.
Search and Seizure
The exercise of the right to inspect desks, lockers and other school property available for use by students also involves the protection of a student’s reasonable expectations of privacy. A school administrator may search a student’s desk, locker or other school property by him/her if at the inception of the search there is reasonable cause to believe that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or school rules, and the scope of the search is reasonably related to the objectives of the search and is not excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the students involved.
Student Search
A student may be searched if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school. Such evidence may include, but is not limited to weapons, contraband material or the fruits of crime. The scope of the search must be reasonably related to the objectives of the search and not excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the infraction.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-221 Boards of education to prescribe rules.
New Jersey v T.L.O., 53 U.S.L.W. 4083 (1985)
PA 94-115 An Act Concerning School Searches.
Policy adopted: July 21, 2003
Students
Search and Seizure
1. Search of a Student and His/Her Effects
A. All searches of students shall be conducted or directed by an authorized school administrator, i.e., the Principal or Vice Principal, in the presence of a witness.
B. A search of a student’s handbag, gym bag or similar personal property carried by a student may be conducted if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will produce evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school. A student’s other effects are also subject to the same rule. Effects may include motor vehicles located on school property.
C. A search of a student’s person may be conducted only if there are reasonable grounds at the inception of the search for suspecting that the search will reveal evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school. Moreover, the scope of the search shall be reasonably related to the objectives of the search and shall not be excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the infraction. Both metal detectors and breathalyzer may be used to conduct searches.
D. Strip searches are prohibited except when there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that such a search will produce evidence of conduct which places students, staff or school property in immediate danger. Such searches may be conducted at the request of the school Principal, or by a member of the Police Department. During such searches, a member of the school staff shall be present at all times as a witness, and both the police officer conducting the search and the witness shall be of the same sex as the student searched.
E. Any evidence of illegal conduct or conduct violative of the rules of the school produced as a result of searches according to these regulations shall be subject to seizure. Where required by law and otherwise at the option of the building Principal, such evidence shall be submitted to the Police Department for proper disposition. Evidence not submitted to the Police Department shall be disposed of as directed by the building Principal.
2. Search of a Locker, Desk and Other Storage Area
A. The Board of Education provides lockers, desks, gym baskets and other storage areas in which students may keep and store personal belongings and materials provided by the Board of Education. Such storage areas are the property of the Board of Education.
B. No student shall keep or store personal belongings or materials provided by the Board of Education in any storage area other than one provided by the Board of Education and designated for his/her use by the school administration.
C. Each student shall be responsible for maintaining any storage area assigned to him/her for his/her use in an orderly and sanitary condition.
D. No student shall keep or store in a storage area assigned to him/her for his/her use any item the possession of which is illegal or in violation of school regulations or that endangers the health, safety or welfare of self or others (such as matches, chemicals, ammunition, weapons, drugs, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, etc.).
E. The use of lockers and other storage areas by students is a privilege. At all times such storage areas remain the property of the Board of Education. If the school administration reasonably suspects that a student is not maintaining a storage area assigned to him/her in a sanitary condition, or that the locker contains items the possession of which is illegal or in violation of school regulations or that endangers the health, safety or welfare of the student or others, it has the right to open and examine the storage area and to seize any such items that are found. The school administration may authorize law enforcement officials to search lockers/storage areas in accordance with Board Policy 5145, Section 2(A).
F. When required by law and otherwise at the option of the building Principal, items that have been seized shall be submitted to the Police Department for proper disposition. Items not submitted to the Police Department shall be disposed of as directed by the building Principal.
Legal References: Connecticut General Statutes
Section 10-221 Boards of education to prescribe rules
Section 54-33n Searches
New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985)
Regulation approved: July 21, 2003