Law Enforcement

The protection and welfare of the students and staff of Lake Washington School District is a responsibility that must be shared with state and local law enforcement agencies. Schools are not equipped to handle violations of law, so school authorities must involve the police and cooperate with them whenever there is a reason to believe the law has been broken. School officials should not assume the responsibility of law enforcement officers in handling such matters.

Searches of Students and Personal Property

All students shall be free from unreasonable searches of their persons, clothing and other personal property. However, a student is subject to search by school officials if reasonable grounds exist to suspect that the search will yield evidence of a student's violation of the law or school rules governing student conduct.

Prior to conducting a search, school officials shall ask that the student consent to be searched by removing all items from pockets or other personal effects. If the student refuses to consent to the search, school officials may proceed to search the student, the student's personal belongings and the student's locker, as follows:

1. Any search of a student conducted by a school district employee must be reasonably related to the discovery of contraband or other evidence of a student's violation of the law or school rules.

For the purpose of this policy, "contraband" means items, materials or substances the possession of which is prohibited by law or district policy, including but not limited to, controlled substances, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or any object that can reasonably be considered a firearm or a dangerous weapon.

2. Staff shall conduct searches in a manner which is not excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the suspected infraction.

No student shall be subject to a strip search or body cavity search by school staff.

School officials may consult with local law enforcement officials regarding the advisability of a search on school premises by a law enforcement officer if evidence of criminal activity is likely to be seized.

The superintendent shall develop procedures regulating searches of students and their personal property.

Adopted:
3/15/76

Revised:
5/7/90

LEGAL REFS.:
RCW 28A.58.101
WAC 180-40-215
Sec. 246, Ch. 271, School official searches, Laws of 1989

CROSS REF.:
Relations with Police Authorities(KNAJ and KNAJ-R)