Prior to a search, the principal or designee must make one of the following determinations:
1. Determination of reasonable belief. A search of a student and/or his property may be made for the purpose of determining if the student is violating a school rule.
2. Determination of reasonable suspicion. If the principal or designee believes that sufficient evidence and/or circumstances exist that would cause a reasonable person to believe that the student has or is violating a school rule, the student and/or his property may be searched.
A. The principal may ask the student to remove all items from pockets, purses, handbags, etc.
B. During the process of conducting a search, if the principal determines that the student may also be guilty of a civil criminal offense, he/she should may immediately contact law enforcement officials.
C. If a student, under the age of 18, refuses to allow a personal search, the student should be detained, the student's parent called, and the search delayed until the parent arrives. When a student who is over the age of 18 refuses to cooperate in a personal search, law enforcement may be contacted or discipline imposed upon the student, if appropriate, for refusing cooperation.
3. Determination of reasonable suspension. If evidence and/or circumstances exist which strongly indicate that the student has committed a criminal offense, law enforcement officials should be contacted to conduct the search.
