STUDENTS 5145.2

SEARCH AND SEIZURE

The Manchester Public Schools respect and uphold the privacy of individuals, the Constitution of the United States and Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Connecticut. More specifically, the public schools of Manchester respect the Fourth Amendment which guarantees against illegal search and seizure. The school system also provides for the health and safety of students and employees. Therefore, school administrators and others designated by the Superintendent are empowered to search for drugs and alcohol, weapons, stolen property, and contraband. Searches of persons and/or places are authorized only when a reasonable suspicion established that a search is justified.

The Superintendent of Schools, School Administrators, and Law Enforcement Officials, at the direction of the Building Principal, are hereby authorized to search student lockers and any other school property available for use by students, for weapons, contraband or the fruits of a crime when there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or school rules.

Adopted: January 13, 1986
Revised: February 13, 1995

SEARCH AND SEIZURE POLICY - ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES

1) Searches of persons and/or places are conducted by administrators or other individuals designated by the Superintendent when there is sufficient reason to believe that a particular student or group of students is in violation of the law or school rules.

2) "Strip searches" of students by employees of the Manchester Board of Education are prohibited.

3) The Superintendent of Schools, School Administrators, and Law Enforcement Officials, at the direction of the Building Principal, are hereby authorized to search student lockers and any other school property available for use by students, for weapons, contraband or the fruits of a crime when there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or school rules.

4) Evidence obtained in a search will be handled according to school rules and laws of the State of Connecticut. Evidence which indicates the commission of a crime will be immediately turned over to the Police Department. Evidence gathered in a search may be used to support school disciplinary action and/or arrest and criminal prosecution.

5) Whenever possible, searches will be conducted in a school office in the presence of other school personnel. Personal searches of purses, bags, cars, and other property will be conducted within the privacy of an office or other private area whenever possible.

6) Students who refuse to cooperate with a valid search will be subject to disciplinary action and/or referral to the Police.

Adopted: January 13, 1986
Revised: February 13, 1995