Policy 5451 – Student Searches and Security Screenings

The Kenosha Unified School District Board of Education authorizes the use of student searches and security screenings to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all students, staff, families, and visitors. Searches and security screenings shall be conducted in compliance with state and federal law and Board policies (including but not limited to Board policies defining weapons, which are policies 5436, 5436.1, and 5436.2, and Board policies defining prohibited substances, which are policies 5433 and 5434).

  1. Purpose
    The purpose of this policy is to ensure safety and order within school buildings, on school premises, on district transportation, and at school-sponsored events. In certain circumstances, school officials may be required to conduct reasonable searches of students and/or their belongings to protect persons and property and maintain order within the educational environment.
  2. Definitions
    1. School Official: For purposes of this policy, a “school official” includes the Superintendent, administrators, school employees designated by the Superintendent or building administrator, and school resource officers acting at the request of or in cooperation with administrators.
    2. Reasonable Suspicion: “Reasonable suspicion” is the search standard that must be applied for a search of a specific student or the student’s belongings. Reasonable suspicion means specific, objective facts exist that would lead a reasonable person to believe a student may be violating the law, Board policy, or school rules, and there are reasonable grounds to suspect a search will reveal evidence of a violation of the law, Board policy, or school rules. Any search conducted using the reasonable suspicion standard must be reasonably related to the objectives of the search and must not be overly intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the infraction. Reasonable suspicion does not mean absolute certainty; rather, it means the sort of common-sense conclusion upon which practical people are entitled to rely. Reasonable suspicion does not require probable cause.
  3. Implementation
    1. General Guidelines
      1. Parents and students shall be notified annually that searches may occur under this policy. Notification shall be provided by giving a copy of this policy to students and parents.
      2. Searches must be reasonable in scope, reasonably related to the objectives of the search, and not excessively intrusive in light of the student’s age, gender, or the nature of the suspected infraction.
      3. When possible, students may request that a search be conducted by a staff member of the same gender. School officials will make every effort to honor such requests.
      4. If a student refuses to comply with a search when there is reasonable suspicion of a weapon, law enforcement will be contacted immediately.
    2. Consent Searches
      1. A school official may seek voluntary consent from a student to search the student, the student’s belongings, or areas under the student’s control.
      2. Before requesting consent, the school official will explain what is being sought and why.
      3. The student’s consent must be voluntary, clear, and unequivocal.
      4. A student may revoke consent at any time during a search.
    3. Search Procedures
      1. Except in emergencies, searches should be conducted under the direction of a building administrator or designee.
      2. A search may proceed without student consent if reasonable suspicion exists.
      3. Searches prompted by an immediate threat to health or safety may be conducted swiftly to protect persons and property.
      4. School officials may request the assistance of school resource officers. When conducting a search with or at the request of a school official, school resource officers shall follow the same standards as school officials.
      5. All searches must be documented in writing by the school official conducting the search as soon as possible, including the reason(s) for the search, the person(s) present during the search, and the results of the search.
      6. Reasonable attempts shall be made to notify parents/guardians following a search. Attempts at notification must be documented.
      7. Items found in violation of law, KUSD policy, or safety shall be seized. Law enforcement may be contacted as necessary for illegal or dangerous substances or objects that are seized.
  4. Specific Searches
    School officials have a duty to investigate any allegations of items or materials that could be harmful to the health or safety of students, school staff, visitors to the school, or property. (Suspicion of drugs and alcohol, reference policy 5434.) Such investigations may include, but are not limited to, conducting the following types of searches:

    1. Students and Personal Belongings
      1. Reasonable suspicion is required for any search of a student’s person or the student’s personal belongings.
      2. Searches should be conducted outside the presence of other students when possible.
      3. To the extent possible, a staff member of the same gender as the student shall conduct the search.
      4. To the extent possible, the search will be conducted with another staff member present as a witness.
      5. School officials may contact the school resource officer or law enforcement for assistance if the student is believed to be in possession of dangerous or illegal materials, where the expertise of law enforcement is advised.
    2. Personal Electronic Devices
      1. If a student violates a KUSD policy, rule, and/or the student is suspected of illegal or inappropriate behavior, the student’s personal electronic devices may be seized but not searched.
      2. Searches of a student’s personal electronic devices may be conducted with the student’s consent. If the school official believes the student has engaged in illegal activity, law enforcement may be notified. A student may refuse consent to such searches, at which time school administration may contact the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) and/or law enforcement as deemed necessary by the school official.
      3. If a student violates a KUSD policy or school rule regarding possession or use of a cell phone or other personal electronic device (e.g., smartwatch) at a time when such possession or use is prohibited, and if the student is not otherwise suspected of illegal or inappropriate behavior, the student’s personal electronic devices may be confiscated but not searched.
    3. Locker, Desks, and Other Storage Areas
      • School lockers, desks, and other storage areas are the property of KUSD.  At no time does the District relinquish its exclusive control, ownership, and possession over lockers, desks, and other storage areas, which are provided for the convenience of students. Students do not have an expectation of privacy in lockers, desks, or other storage areas. School authorities may, for any reason, conduct periodic general inspections of lockers, desks, and other storage areas at any time without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant, at the District’s sole discretion.
    4. Vehicles
      • Vehicles parked on school property are subject to search when there is reasonable suspicion of a violation of KUSD policy or law or when the student has given consent to the search of the vehicle.
    5. Metal Detectors and Wanding (Hand-held Metal Detectors)
      1. Walk-through metal detectors/weapons detection systems and hand-held metal detectors (i.e., wands) may be used to conduct screenings of students under the following circumstances:
        1. When an administrator has reasonable suspicion to believe that the student is in possession of a weapon, or
        2. When conducting random screenings on all students or on a randomly selected number of students chosen using a neutral process (e.g., every third person) for the purpose of detecting possession of weapons and/or deterring students from bringing weapons onto school grounds.
      2. Metal detector screenings may be used at any time an individual is on District property, including, but not limited to, before, during, or after the school day, at special events such as athletic competitions, dances, assemblies, or other KUSD-sponsored events.
      3. Signage will be posted at entrances stating that persons entering may be subject to screening. Entry constitutes consent to such screening.
      4. If a student requests an employee of the same gender perform the wanding of their person, every effort will be made to accommodate this request.
      5. If the metal detector, including wands, alerts on an object, the student will be asked to remove it. If the object is harmless and does not violate any law or KUSD policy, no further action will be taken, and the object will be returned to the individual.
      6. If the student refuses to remove an object or if there is reason to believe the student poses an immediate threat, the student may be isolated, and law enforcement will be contacted immediately.
      7. If a prohibited item is identified, staff shall follow administrative guidelines to secure the item and maintain safety.
      8. Admission to the building or event will be denied to any student who refuses to follow the above guidelines.
      9. Any screenings shall be conducted by staff who have been trained to use the metal detection device being used.
    6. Canine Searches
      • Canine searches are allowed as permitted by law. The Board authorizes the use of specially trained dogs to detect the presence of illegal substances or harmful devices (e.g., bombs), and to protect the health and welfare of students and others on District property.
      • The use of canine searches must be authorized in advance by the Superintendent or his/her designee, except in emergency situations or if pursuant to a court order or warrant. The dog must be handled by a law enforcement officer or other handler who is trained to safely handle the dog and accurately interpret its responses. A school official must accompany the dog and its handler at all times while the search is being performed, except in emergency situations when this is not possible. Students will not be allowed in the vicinity where a canine search is being conducted.
  5. Prohibited Searches
    Strip searches of students are strictly prohibited.

LEGAL REF.:

  • Wisconsin Statutes §§ 118.32, 118.325, 948.50, 995.55(3)
  • U.S. Constitution, Fourth Amendment
  • New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985)
  • In the Interest of Angelia D.B., 211 Wis. 2d 140 (1997)
  • In the Interest of Isiah B., 176 Wis.2d 639 (1993)

CROSS REF.:

AFFIRMED: February 24, 2026