BILLERICA OKS SEARCHING LOCKERS WITHOUT WARNING

BILLERICA Without discussion, the School Committee unanimously voted to
adopt a policy that would allow school officials to inspect students'
school lockers and desks on a random basis.

"The rights of inspection of student's school lockers and desks is inherent
in the authority granted to school committee members and administrators,"
reads policy 5206.

The policy places demands on school officials to use their judgment in
protecting the students' constitutional rights to personal privacy and to
act in the best interest of the schools.

"Generally the student should be present for the locker or desk search,"
the policy reads. "However, in a situation where the administration
believes there is reasonable cause that a locker or desk contains something
illegal, such as drugs, alcohol, weapons, stolen property, or other
contraband, and the situation presents a threat to health and safety for
the school, the search may be made without advanced notice to the student."

If an unannounced search takes place, the student and parents will be
notified after the search.

There was no discussion on the matter because the first reading of the
policy took place in June and the committee had the summer to mull it over.

In other business last night, the committee heard a positive report from
Thomas Woodbury, the department's head of guidance, regarding SAT results
and higher-education decisions for the class of 2003.

Woodbury said 81 percent of the school's 338 students participated in the
test and scored an average of 1,056 in the combined verbal and math
categories. Billerica's scores are well above the state average of 1,027.

Eighty-three percent of last June's graduates have gone on to continue
their education at a higher level, Woodbury said. Seventy-two students took
124 advanced-placement tests in 2003, and 79 percent of those students
scored a 3 or higher on a scale of 1 to 5.

"That puts us clearly above both the national and state average," Woodbury
said.

Billerica High School offers advance-placement courses in seven content
areas: English literature and composition, English language and
composition, U.S. history, European history, calculus AB, physics C, and
Spanish.

"Taking an advanced-placement course requires a significant commitment on
behalf of the student to achieve success," Woodbury said. "However, the
benefits are also significant. The rigorous requirements better prepare
students for collegiate academics."

Some colleges have policies and guidelines on incoming students who have
succeeded in advanced-placement courses in high school. Some offer college
credit or may grant graduation requirement waivers.

"These results reflect well on the teachers we have here at Billerica High
School," said committee member Robert Keough. "We owe the teachers a
tremendous debt, and hopefully, someday we'll be able to repay that debt."