LOCKER SEARCHES STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

The Board of Education proposal advocating for locker searches without
probable cause in public schools should be a good start in the attempt
to deter students from bringing illegal substances and objects to school.

School should be an environment where students feel safe and can learn
without distractions.

Though many argue that searching without reason is invasion of
privacy, the bigger picture is the safety of students. Plus, the
lockers are the property of the schools, meaning that they are the
property of the state.

I see no reason why schools should not be able to search lockers.
There are students who bring contraband and prohibited items to school
- - and I'm not talking about MP3 players and cigarettes.

Something must be done to keep the majority of innocent students safe
from those who break the rules and the law.

Though this proposal will not eliminate the problem of students
bringing contraband and illegal items to school, it is a start in the
right direction.

Marcie Kagawa

Grade 12, 'Aiea High School.

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.