7440B - METAL DETECTOR SEARCH PROCEDURES

West Clermont Local School District

Administrative Guidelines

7440B - METAL DETECTOR SEARCH PROCEDURES

The Superintendent shall be responsible for the monitoring and enforcement of guidelines relative to metal detector search procedures. The principal shall have the authority to request metal detector searches, and searches shall not be conducted in the absence of such request.

The purpose of the metal detector search is to discourage students from bringing weapons into the schools. Accordingly, metal detectors may be used at District schools and school-related functions of such schools, on a random and periodic basis.

All students, staff members, and visitors entering schools and school-related functions of such schools are subject to search.

Metal detector searches will be conducted by principals using hand-held scanning devices.

	A.	Students, staff members, and visitors shall not be informed in advance regarding the specific dates on which, or the locations where, metal detector searches will occur.
	B.	Prior to a metal detector search being conducted, a sign or signs announcing a search for weapons shall be posted, on the day of the metal detector search, outside the school or school-related function, at a main entrance or entrances.
	C.	When a metal detector is being used, students, staff members, and visitors will be permitted to use only designated entrances to the school or school-related function. District staff may be stationed at other entrances, as necessary, to prevent students, staff members, or visitors from opening those entrances to admit others into the building or school-related function.
	D.	All students, staff members, and visitors entering the school or school-related function are subject to search although those conducting the search may choose to limit the search by any lawful random formula. For example, if the lines become too long, the search may be limited to every second or third person. A random formula shall not be ended in order to search a particular student or person.
	E.	The principal isprohibited from selecting a particular student or person to search unless there is a reasonable suspicion to believe that the student or person is in possession of a weapon.
	F.	Prior to use in conducting a metal detector search pursuant to these guidelines, each search device to be used shall be examined by a person familiar with its operation to determine if it is in proper working order. A metal detector search device shall not be used if there is any question as to whether it is in proper working order.
	G.	Each person operating a metal detector search device shall be trained in the proper use of the device and the detection of any malfunction in the operation of the instrument.
	H.	As to each individual search, the principal will ask the student or person to remove all metal objects from his/her person (e.g., belt buckles, jewelry) and to place the metal objects and any bags, backpacks, briefcases, knapsacks, purses, or parcels on a table. With the exception of contraband in plain view, police officers may not inspect items in which a weapon could not be concealed, and may not examine written materials.
	I.	When a student's, staff member's, or visitor's bag or parcel activates the scanning device, the principal is to request him/her to open the container in question so that the officer can look for weapons.
	J.	If a student's, staff member's, or visitor's body activates the device, the principal will repeat the request to remove metal objects.
	K.	All property removed from the student or person as a result of the above procedures that may be legitimately brought on school premises or to school functions will be returned to the student or person. All other property will not be returned to the student or person.
	L.	Property removed from the student or the student's bags or parcels, possession of which is a violation of the Code of Conduct school rules, Board policy and administrative guidelines, and/or the law, shall cause a student to be disciplined in accordance with the Code of Conduct and may subject the student to criminal prosecution and/or juvenile proceedings for violations of law.
	M.	Nothing in the procedures set forth above shall limit the authority of the Board and Board employees to remove other contraband from a student, and to otherwise search a student when there is reasonable suspicion to believe that a particular student is in possession of an article or thing, the possession of which constitutes inappropriate behavior under the Code of Conduct.