Policy 2325 - Detection Canines

The Richland School District Board of Directors 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, and non-authorized medication on district property or at any district-sponsored event. 

The Board, based on current state of Washington law, declares that using a dog to sniff air around items or places listed in this policy is not a search. The Board continues to adhere to the policy that no actual search will be conducted without a particularized reasonable suspicion or belief that evidence of a rule violation will be found. At no time will any person be subjected to inspection by detection canines. 

In conjunction with other district security measures, a trained dog may be used to sniff the air for prohibited items. The specific areas sniffed may be lockers, unoccupied classrooms, unattended desks, bags, items, or vehicles that are on district property or at a district-sponsored event. Students who elect to park cars on district property do so knowing that the exterior of the vehicle may be sniffed. A dog’s alert constitutes reasonable suspicion to search 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(s) bringing the item onto district property, or responsible for that place or item, will be called to the scene as outlined in district policy to witness the search by school official(s). All searches shall be made in compliance with district policy and applicable law. 

Discovery of a prohibited substance or item may result in referral to law enforcement and/or disciplinary action in keeping with district policy for students. 

The above inspections may be unannounced and shall be made at the discretion of the superintendent or designee. Students and parents/guardians shall be informed of this policy at the beginning of each school year. 

Legal References:

RCW 28A.170.075 Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention 
RCW 13.64.060 Power and Capacity of emancipated minor 
RCW 28A.320.040 Bylaws for board and school government 
RCW 28A.600.020 Government of schools, pupils, employees, rules and Optimum learning atmosphere 
RCW 28A.600.210 School official searches of student lockers 
RCW 28A.210.310 Prohibition on use of tobacco products on school property. 
RCW 28A.170.075 Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention 
20 U.S.C. 3171 et seq.Drug-free Schools and Community Act 
41 USC §§ 701-707 Drug Free Workplace Act of Subtitle D 1988 and as amended in 1989 
20 USC §§ 7101 Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act 
21 U.S.C. 812 Controlled Substance Act 
21 CFR 1300.11-1300 
WAC 180-40-215 Student rights 
 

Adoption:

Adopted: October 12, 2006