Code No.: 502.5
SEARCH AND SEIZURE
School officials may conduct periodic inspections of all, or a randomly selected number of student lockers. At the
beginning of each year, the District shall provide written notice to each student and the student’s parents, guardians,
or legal custodians that school officials may conduct periodic inspections of all school lockers without prior notice.
Any locker inspection conducted pursuant to this policy shall either occur in the presence of the students whose
lockers are being inspected or in the presence of at least one other person. An inspection of the lockers may be
accomplished using methods such as, but not limited to, a visual search of lockers by school officials or the use, by
school officials or law enforcement at the direction of school officials of a drug sniffing dog.
School district property is held in public trust by the board. School district authorities may, without a search
warrant, search students or protected student areas based on a reasonable and articulable suspicion that a school
district policy, rule, regulation or law has been violated. The search is in a manner reasonable in scope to
maintain order and discipline in the schools, promote the educational environment, and protect the safety and
welfare of students, employees and visitors to the school district facilities. The furnishing of a locker, desk or
other facility or space owned by the school and provided as a courtesy to a student, even if the student provides
the lock for it, will not create a protected student area and will not give rise to an expectation of privacy with
respect to the locker, desk, or other facility.
School authorities may seize any illegal, unauthorized or contraband materials discovered in the search. Items of
contraband may include, but are not limited to, nonprescription controlled substances, marijuana, cocaine,
amphetamines, barbiturates, apparatus used for controlled substances, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, weapons,
explosives, poisons and stolen property. Such items are not to be possessed by a student while they are on school
district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or
operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from
school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school
district. Possession of such items will be grounds for disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion and
may be reported to local law enforcement officials. The board believes that illegal, unauthorized or contraband
materials may cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment or presents a threat to the
health and safety of students, employees, or visitors on the school district premises or property within the
jurisdiction of the school district.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principals, to develop administrative
regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: U.S. Const. amend. IV.
New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985).
Cason v. Cook, 810 F.2d 188 (8th Cir. 1987), cert. den., 482 U.S. 930 (1987).
Iowa Code ch. 808A (2013).
281 I.A.C. 12.3(6).
Approved _______
Revised 12/18/95
Reviewed 2/21/00
Reviewed 4/07/03
Revised 4/21/03
Reviewed 7/7/08
Revised 11/17/14