# JIH Questioning and Searches of Students

The Board of Directors seeks to maintain a safe and orderly environment
in the schools. RSU 1 school administrators may question and/or search
students in accordance with this policy and accompanying administrative
procedure.

Students, their personal property, and their vehicles may be searched
upon reasonable suspicion that they possess any items or substances
which are prohibited by law, Board policies and/or school rules, or
which interfere with the operations, discipline or general welfare of
the school.

When special circumstances exist, including but not limited to a
suspected ongoing violation of the Board's drug/alcohol or weapons
policies, or when a potential threat to safety is identified, school
administrators may search groups of students or the entire student body
without individualized suspicion.

Student use of all school storage facilities, including but not limited
to lockers, desks, and parking lots, is a privilege granted by the
school. All storage facilities are school property and remain under the
control, custody and supervision of the school.

Students shall have no expectation of privacy in school storage
facilities or for any items placed in such storage facilities. RSU 1
school administrators have the authority to inspect and search storage
facilities and their contents on a random basis, with or without
reasonable suspicion, and without notice or consent. Canine patrols may
be used to conduct searches anywhere on school property.

If a search produces evidence that a student has violated or is
violating the law, Board policies and/or school rules, such evidence may
be seized and impounded by RSU 1 school administrators and appropriate
disciplinary action may be taken. Evidence may be forwarded to law
enforcement authorities as required by law or as deemed appropriate by
RSU 1 school administrators.

A student who refuses to comply with a search directive may be subject
to disciplinary action, including the disciplinary consequences for the
suspected violation.

The Superintendent is authorized to develop and implement, with input
from legal counsel, administrators, staff and others as appropriate, any
administrative procedures necessary to carry out this policy.

This policy and the accompanying procedure will be included in
student/parent handbooks. Such administrative procedures shall be
subject to Board approval.

Cross Reference: JIH-R -- Questioning and Searches of Students -
Administrative
Procedure

JICH -- Drug and Alcohol Use by
Students

JICIA -- Weapons, Violence and School
Safety

JK -- Student
Discipline
 KLGA - Relations with School Resource Officers and Law Enforcement Authorities [[KLGA-R - Relations with School Resource Officers] [and Law Enforcement] [Administrative Procedure]](https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LerARYu2vkyzLjdBpcN7xaqA8Zv6Zay3RmPkFRP0e60)

Adopted: June 25, 2012

Revised: September 28, 2015