Physical searches of students and searches of vehicles and containers or packages brought onto school grounds by students and visitors may be conducted if the principal has a reasonable suspicion that a student or school visitor has in his/her possession a prohibited item or substance (drugs, drug paraphernalia, dangerous weapons and other property not properly in their possession).1
Physical searches of students shall meet all the following standards of reasonableness:
A particular student has violated school policy;
The search will yield evidence of the violation of school policy or will lead to disclosure of a dangerous weapon, drug paraphernalia or drug;
The search is in pursuit of legitimate interests of the school in maintaining order, discipline, safety, supervision and education of student;
The search is not conducted for the sole purpose of discovering evidence to be used in a criminal prosecution; and
The search shall be reasonably related to the objectives of the search and not excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student as well as the nature of the infraction alleged to have been committed.
The lockers are property of Shelby County schools and, therefore, can be searched at the discretion of the principal. Random searches or searches of all lockers may occur at any time. Individual searches will be conducted based upon reasonable suspicion as described above.