Students may be questioned by teachers or principals about any matter pertaining to the operation of a school and/or the enforcement of its rules. Questioning shall be conducted discreetly and under circumstances which will avoid unnecessary embarrassment to the student. Any student answering falsely or evasively or refusing to answer a question may be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension. 

If a student is suspected or accused of misconduct or infraction of the student code of conduct, the principal may interrogate the student without the presence of parent(s)/guardian(s). 

If the principal has requested assistance by law enforcement to investigate a crime involving his/her school, the police may interrogate a student suspect in school during school hours. The principal shall first attempt to notify the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student unless circumstances require otherwise.  However, the interrogation may proceed without attendance of the parent(s)/guardian(s), but the principal/designee shall be present during the interrogation.

If the police deem circumstances of sufficient urgency to interrogate students at school for unrelated crimes committed outside of school hours, the police department should first contact the principal regarding the planned interrogation and inform him/her of the probable cause to investigate. The principal shall make reasonable efforts to notify the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the interrogation unless circumstances require otherwise. The interrogation may proceed without attendance of the parent(s)/guardian(s), but the principal/designee shall be present during the interrogation. 

The school principal shall authorize all searches at the outset per state law. All principal initiated searches shall be conducted by a school security officer or a school administrator who has completed the state required training. The following conditions shall apply to principal initiated searches: 

1. All the following standards of reasonableness must be met: 

1. A particular student has violated school policy; 

2. The search will yield evidence of the violation of school policy or will lead to finding dangerous weapons, drugs, or drug paraphernalia; 

3. The search is in pursuit of legitimate interests of the school in maintaining order, discipline, safety, supervision, and education; 

4. The search is not conducted for the sole purpose of discovering evidence to be used in criminal prosecution; and 

5. The search shall be reasonably related to the objectives of the search and not excessively intrusive considering the age and sex of the student as well as the nature of the alleged infraction;

2. A school administrator shall be on-site at any principal-initiated search;  

3. A school administrator shall oversee the search and may end the search at any time; and 

4. If a student is under the age of eighteen (18), the principal must notify the student’s parent or guardian within a reasonable time of the search

If a school resource officer searches a student, based on having probable cause, the principal shall notify the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services.

In order to ensure a safe and secure learning environment, the Director of Schools shall develop procedures regarding the searching of students, lockers, vehicles, and containers which are consistent with state law. The Director of Schools shall develop additional procedures to ensure compliance with all of the provisions of the School Security Act of 1981.