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Prior to an individual locker search or inspection, the student to whom the locker is assigned shall be notified and be
given an opportunity to be present. However, when there is a reasonable suspicion that a locker contains materials that
pose a threat to the health, welfare or safety of the school population, student lockers may be searched without prior
notice to the student.

Individual Vehicle Inspections and Searches
The administration may establish rules and procedures governing certain privileges enjoyed by students, such as the
privilege of parking a vehicle on school grounds that make the student’s consent a condition of access to the privilege.
Vehicle search procedures follow the same protocol as locker searches.

General Searches without Individualized Suspicion
When certain criteria are present, general searches of school premises, students and their belongings, including student
lockers or vehicles parked on school property, may be conducted during the school day or upon entry into school
buildings or school activities (e.g., prom, homecoming, etc.), for the purpose of finding or preventing entry onto school
property or activities of controlled substances, weapons or other dangerous materials. Such searches normally will be
conducted in a minimally intrusive manner by staff members or using screening methods such as dogs or other animals
trained to detect controlled substances, explosives or other harmful materials by smell, as well as metal detectors and
other technology. School staff may also assist in searching student bags and materials in response to a threat (e.g., a
bomb threat). When such screening methods provide a reasonable suspicion that particular students, items or places
possess or contain controlled substances, weapons or other dangerous material, screening may be followed by physical
searches of those particular students, items or places on an individualized basis.

General searches for weapons may be conducted when there are circumstances, information or events tending to
indicate increased likelihood that students may be armed or headed for physical confrontation because of community
strife or tensions, or as a continuation or escalation of a prior incident, in or out of school, which threatens to spill over
into school, into a school-sponsored activity, or into other times and places that students are under school supervision.
(See “Weapons” section for more information)

General searches for controlled substances may be conducted when two or more credible sources indicate a use,
possession or trafficking of controlled substances among students in school. For example, the building principal may
receive information from a student and staff member involving controlled substances that does not include a specific
name of an alleged person or persons.

General searches not based on individualized suspicion must be approved
in advance by the superintendent or assistant superintendent. In a timely
manner, the administration will inform the board that a general search was
conducted and provide basic information of any prohibited items.

Anyone having tips regarding drug abuse, use or distribution can contact the TIP Hotline anonymously at 724-449-
TIPS. If you are concerned that your child may have a drug and/or alcohol problem, several community resources are
available to assist you. Trained members of the Pine-Richland staff serve on the Student Assistance Team in all of the
buildings. Contact the school principal or your child’s school counselor for further assistance and information.

Smoke-Free Campus
For the safety and well-being of our students, staff and visitors, Board Policy No. 222: Use of Tobacco and Tobacco-
Like Products authorizes the 24-hour, year-round smoke-free status. The board prohibits tobacco use, smokeless
tobacco or the use of vaporizers, e-cigarettes or any similar devices at any time in a building and on any property,

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