Searches and Surveillance

The information on this page is a brief summary. For additional guidance, please review:

• Policy 502: Search of Student Lockers, Desks, Personal Possessions, and Student’s Person
• Policy 711: Video Surveillance 
• Policy 712: Video Surveillance Other Than on Busses

Canine Searches

Schools may use specially trained dogs to detect and alert officials to the presence of prohibited items and illicit substances in lockers. Students are not to share lockers. Searches may occur in school and on school property including but not limited to the parking lot.

Lockers

School lockers are the property of District 834 and are loaned to students for their use. School authorities have the legal right to access lockers and search them at any time, for any reason and without notice. Students are to use only the locker assigned to them. Students are not to share their combination or locker with another student and are responsible for their own possessions. The school will not assume responsibility for lost or stolen articles. To decrease the likelihood of locker theft, students are asked to keep their locker locked at all times, spin the dial after closing the door, and make sure the entire door is closed. Valuable items should not be left in the locker. Students are liable for damage to their lockers. If the locker is defaced or damaged in any way, the student may be assessed costs for restoration or repair. Anyone found defacing, damaging or vandalizing a locker or any other school property will face disciplinary consequences and/or referral to the legal system.

CAUTION: Written statements on lockers may be deemed as harassment or violation of school rules or law. The student’s personal possessions within a school locker may be searched only when administration have reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover evidence of a violation of a law or school rules. Whenever feasible, the student may be present when her/his property or school property which she/her uses is being searched. A general search of school properties, including but not limited to lockers or desks may occur at any time, and items belonging to the school may be seized. Schools may use specially trained dogs to detect and alert officials to the presence of prohibited items and illicit substances in lockers, common areas and/or school parking areas. If a dog alerts to an item in a locker or vehicle it may be searched.

Search and Seizure

If the school administration has a reason to believe an illegal act or violation of school rules has been committed, or is about to be committed, they are authorized to search the student and her/ his personal property or any district property used by the student, and seize any item the possession of which is specifically prohibited by law, district policies, or school rules.

Security System Tampering

Any action that is intended to deactivate, damage, or destroy any security system of the school district is strictly prohibited. Such action includes, but is not limited to, the disabling of tampering with a security camera in a school building or on school grounds or tampering with an automatic locking door apparatus.

Video Surveillance

The district authorizes the use of video/electronic surveillance systems to monitor activity on school property and buses as a means to protect the health and safety of students, staff and visitors.