Jerome Joint School District No. 261

STUDENTS 3370

Searches and Seizure

To maintain order and security in the schools, school authorities are authorized to conduct reasonable searches of

school property and equipment, as well as of students and their personal effects.

The Board of Trustees of Jerome Joint School District No.261 is committed to providing students and

employees with schools and work places that are free of drugs and weapons. To that end the Board prohibits

the presence of drugs, controlled substances, weapons of any type, explosive devices, alcohol, non-authorized

medication or any other intoxicate (as those terms are defined by state or federal law or District policy) on

District property or at any District sponsored event. This prohibition applies to employees, students, patrons,

visitors and any other person on District property.

All persons are responsible for the security of any vehicle, locker, desk, bag or other item they possess or

bring on to District property or to a District sponsored event. No person shall possess, place, keep or maintain

any article or material that is prohibited by law or District policy in items, lockers, vehicle, desks or bags assigned

to them or under their control while on District property or at a District sponsored event.

In conjunction with other District security measures, a dog may be used to sniff the air around lockers, desks,

bags, items or vehicles that are on District property or at a District sponsored event. A dog's alert

constitutes reasonable suspicion and only the dog's official handler will determine what constitutes an alert

by the dog. If the dog alerts on a particular item or place, the person having the use of, bringing onto District

property or responsible for that place or item will be called to the scene to witness the inspection. The

inspections shall be unannounced and may be made at the discretion of the Superintendent or his designee.

In the event the dog alerts on a locked vehicle the owner or person bringing it onto District property shall

be asked to open it for inspection.

Refusal to open the item for inspection may result in referring the matter to law enforcement officials,

disciplinary action, including but not limited to suspension or termination of employment for employees and

suspension or expulsion for students and loss of parking privileges on District property for students. Visitors or

patrons may be banned from District property.

For health and safety reasons, a general inspection of school properties such as lockers and desks may be

conducted on a regular basis or when reasonable suspicion reveals that the search will disclose evidence of

illegal possession or activity. Any items contained in a locker shall be considered to be the property of the

student to whom the locker was assigned. Notice of this policy shall be given to all students.

Students

School officials may search individual students and their property when there is a reasonable suspicion that the

search will uncover evidence that the student is violating the law or the rules of the district or the school

Whenever practical, searches of a student shall be conducted by a staff member of that student’s gender. Any time a search of a student must be conducted, a second adult shall be present. Whenever practical, this second adult shall also be of the student’s gender.

Seizure of Property

If a search produces evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the Districts policies or

rules, such evidence may be seized and impounded by school authorities, and disciplinary action may be taken. When appropriate, such evidence may be transferred to law enforcement authorities.

Cross Reference: Student Vehicle Parking 3450

Policy History:

Adopted on: 04/25/2009

Revised on: 03/15/2016

Revised on: 03/15/2022