General McLane High School
2002-2003 Vehicle Search Policy

The student driving permission granted by the General McLane School District is subject to compliance with the below-stated Vehicle Search Policy. The Vehicle Search Policy provides as follows:

1. No drugs, alcohol, weapons, cigarettes, proceeds from criminal conduct, or any other contraband is to be possessed, used, distributed, or stored in any vehicle for which student driving permission has been granted.

2. The General McLane School District reserves the right to conduct canine vehicle searches for drugs at any time, for any reason, without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant.

3. If, during the course of a canine search for drugs, the canine has alerted its handler of the potential for the presence of drugs anywhere on, or inside, the vehicle, entry into the vehicle will be undertaken by school representatives. The student who brought the vehicle to the parking area will be summoned by school representatives and brought to the vehicle. At that time, the student will be asked to permit access to the interior of the vehicle, including the engine compartment, the vehicle passenger compartment, and the trunk compartment. If the student refuses to provide access to these areas, the student driving permission previously granted the student will be deemed automatically revoked and the vehicle will be towed from school property at the student’s and/or parent’s expense. The student’s parent(s) will also be notified of the refusal.

4. If the student provides access to the vehicle, school representatives and/or the canine handler will be permitted to search any and all areas where it is reasonably likely that drugs may be found including, but not limited to, the entire passenger compartment, the entire engine compartment, the trunk of the vehicle, as well as any other area of the vehicle where drugs reasonably may be found.

5. In the event any illegal substances and/or weapons are found within a vehicle, local law enforcement officers will be contacted and the items will be promptly transferred to the responding law enforcement officer(s). The decision as to whether criminal charges will be filed will be left to the discretion of the responding law enforcement agency. However, the school district may also initiate any disciplinary action it deems appropriate under the circumstances. Any other items of contraband may be held by the school district and utilized as the basis for any disciplinary action the school district deems necessary under the circumstances.

6. In the event that any illegal substances, weapons, tobacco, or alcohol are found as a result of the search, the previously granted student driving permission will be deemed automatically revoked.

7. The initial canine search as well as any search of the vehicle conducted thereafter, will include a search of all areas where drugs are reasonably likely to be found including, but not limited to, the engine compartment, the entire vehicle passenger compartment, and the trunk compartment.

8. A refusal to permit a search of any vehicle will result in the revocation of all driving and parking privileges, the vehicle will be towed from the area at the student’s and/or parent’s expense, and the parent(s) will be notified of the refusal.