SCHOOLS AIM TO BROADEN DRUG HUNTS

PORTSMOUTH -- The school district hopes to expand its
search-and-seizure policy by spelling out that students can expect
their cars, lockers and desks to be searched at any time, and that
police canines will be used on school property.

The School Board's policy committee reviewed a draft of the new rules
Monday. The current policy is brief and addresses inspection of
student lockers only to safeguard students' "well-being."

Assistant City Attorney Kathleen Dwyer presented the committee with a
draft of the expanded policy, which will go before the School Board
for approval at a later date.

The aim of the policy is to address students who may possess alcohol,
illegal substances, weapons or stolen property. A handful of arrests
took place at the high school this year for students allegedly
possessing illegal substances.

The proposed draft said the superintendent, principal, teacher or
security personnel have the right "to detain and search any student"
on the premises of School Department property or while "attending or
in transit to" a school-sponsored event.

"Lockers, desks and other storage areas or compartments may be
subject to searches at any time with or without reasonable
suspicion," the draft stated.

It also noted that authorized personnel may "arrange for the use of
trained canines to aid in the search process." A few years ago, the
Police Department conducted a "drug sweep" through the high school
using canines. The sweep did not turn up any drugs, but Police Chief
Michael Magnant has said periodic searches deter students from
bringing drugs to school.

Before a joint police-school meeting this May, Magnant said the
department had offered to do other canine searches, but the School
Department had not responded.

The proposed policy also says student parking lots can be subjected
to search-and-seizure rules, including canine searches. It warned
that students and/or vehicles should maintain "a lesser expectation
of privacy" in designated parking areas.

Students should also expect to be searched under the proposed policy.
The draft states that searches must be conducted by authorized,
same-sex personnel, and strip searches are forbidden.

Superintendent Bob Lister said rules allowing personal searches are
necessary given that students have tried to hide prohibited items
under clothing.