EDUCATORS MUST BE ABLE TO ENSURE SAFETY

When parents pay for students to go to school, whether by paying
taxes for public school or tuition for private school, they trust
that their children will be kept out of harm's way.

This responsibility is certainly taken seriously by state educators.
However, an educator cannot perform this responsibility to its
fullest if students are allowed to bring, and essentially "hide,"
whatever they want in their lockers.

Yes, each individual has a right to privacy, but when students enter
school grounds, whether it is public or private, they make a silent
agreement that the purpose of coming to school is to learn. Once a
student breaks that agreement, the responsibility lies with educators
to ensure that the safety of all students is not compromised by one
person's actions. This is only possible if educators have access to
school property, including student lockers.

If educators suspect a student has some type of contraband within his
or her locker and the student is innocent, then good for them.
They've kept to the agreement and should be allowed to continue their
education. However, if contraband is present, then the necessary
steps can be taken to ensure safety for all. As the saying goes, it's
better to be safe than sorry.

Paul Iona

Grade 12, Kamehameha Schools.

note: Today's letters were written by members and former members of
The Advertiser Teen Editorial Board. They were asked to write on
either transit or school locker searches.