SCHOOL BOARD CHIEF: NO CLASH BETWEEN SEARCH SIGNS, RIGHTS

The potential posting of all Sylvania schools' parking lots with signs
warning of possible vehicle searches won't interfere with basic
Constitutional rights, according to Mark Luetke, president of the board of
education.

Mr. Luetke said the proposal is meant to safeguard everyone on school property.

The board was asked last week to erect signs at all the system's parking
lots warning that vehicles on the property are subject to search.

Jeffrey Gamso, a local official of the American Civil Liberties Union, said
that the signs aren't sufficient to override the right to privacy.

He agreed that if a school official or law enforcement officer saw
contraband in a vehicle or if a drug-smelling dog in a school parking lot
detected something suspicious the vehicle could be searched.

Otherwise, he said, an automobile is considered private property.

Mr. Luetke said the board's desire is to make all Sylvania schools safe for
students, but the potential passage of the rule, "is not meant to infringe
on anyone's rights."

Larry Duwve, assistant principal at Southview High School who asked board
members that the signs be posted, said that of four student's cars he has
most recently searched, three contained contraband. In each instance the
students had given permission for the searches, he said.

One of the vehicles had alcohol and two others, he said, had drug
paraphernalia.

He acknowledged that sometimes more than a month goes by without a reason
to search any cars. He added that a car search is only undertaken if there
is a reason to think contraband is in the vehicle.

Mr. Duwve said students have come to understand that their lockers are
considered school property and can be searched at any time, so some have
begun to keep illicit substances in their cars.

He said the situation is likely no different from any other system, but
that if the signs are erected, it will act as another warning to avoid
dangerous substances.

The board will consider the issue at its meeting Monday.