502 Policy: Search of Student Lockers, Desks, Personal Possessions and Student's Person

I.    PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to provide for a safe and healthy educational environment by enforcing the school district’s policies against contraband. 

II.    GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

School lockers and desks are the property of the school district and are provided for the convenience of students. At no time does the school district relinquish its exclusive control of lockers or desks. Inspection of the interior of lockers or desks may be conducted by school authorities for any reason at any time, without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant. The personal possessions of students, whether within or outside of school lockers or desks, and/or a student’s person may be searched only when school authorities have a reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover evidence of a violation of law or school rules. As soon as practicable after the search of a student’s personal possessions, the school authorities must provide notice of the search to the students whose lockers or desks were searched unless disclosure would impede an ongoing investigation by policy or school officials. 

III.    DISSEMINATION OF POLICY

This locker policy will be disseminated to parents/guardians and students in the way other policies of general application to students are disseminated, including student/parent handbooks. Students will receive a copy of this policy the first time they are given use of a locker.

Adopted/Revised
Revised: 11/22/16
Revised: 12/7/99
Adopted as former Policy 5223:  2/20/96

Legal References
U.S. Const., amend. IV
Minn. Const., art. I, § 10
M.S. 121A.72 School Locker Policy
New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325, 105 S.Ct. 733, 83 L.Ed.2d 720 (1985)
G.C. v. Owensboro Public Schools, 711 F.3d 623 (6th Cir. 2013)