15. Interrogations/Investigations
(Refer to BOE policy JCAC)
The principal, school security officers, and others designated by the superintendent may conduct investigations and question students about infractions of school rules or the student conduct code. If there is reason to believe a violation of a criminal law has been committed, the principal, or school security officer with authorization of the principal, shall notify the appropriate law enforcement agency as necessary and may request further investigation of the alleged violation
When law enforcement officers question a student on a topic unrelated to a report of child abuse during school hours, the building principal shall make a reasonable attempt to contact a parent, guardian or representative of the minor student(s) prior to questioning. Notification or attempted notification of parents, guardian or representative shall be documented by the administrator involved. If a minor student’s parents, guardian or representative is not present during such questioning of a student, the principal shall be present
Child Abuse Investigations Conducted by Law Enforcement Officers: The administration shall cooperate with law enforcement officers who are conducting investigations of suspected child abuse. For any investigations concerning known or suspected child abuse, school staff shall follow the procedure outlined in board policy GAAD instead of the requirements of this policy.
GAAD – DCF or Law Enforcement Access to Students on School Premises:The building principal shall allow a student to be interviewed by DCF or law enforcement representatives on school premises to investigate suspected child abuse and shall act as appropriate to facilitate the agency’s access to the child and to protect the student’s interests during the process. State law grants the investigating agency the authority to determine whether a school employee may be present while the interview is being conducted, taking into account the child’s best interests. If asked to sit in on the interview by the agency representative conducting it, the building principal or designee thereof shall oblige such request in order to provide comfort to the child throughout the process and to facilitate the investigation. In cases of suspected abuse or neglect, employees will not contact the child’s family or any other persons to determine the cause of the suspected abuse or neglect.
Law Enforcement Initiated Investigations at School:In cases not involving the investigation of known or suspected child abuse, law enforcement officers shall not be permitted to initiate and conduct investigations involving the questioning of students during school hours unless the student’s parent or guardian has given the school permission to allow the questioning, a valid warrant has been presented to the principal for such purpose, or in demonstrated emergency situations.
Investigations conducted by the Kansas Department for Children and Families during school hours shall be directed by the local DCF office. Parents should be referred to DCF if they have questions about such investigations.
Searches of Students or Property:
(Refer to Board Policy JCAB and JCABB)
Principals are authorized to search students or property if there is reasonable suspicion that district policies, rules or directives are being violated. When searching a student, they shall be told why a search is being conducted. Items that may be searched include, but are not limited to, pockets, purses, shoulder bags, book bags, briefcases, and lockers. Lockers shall be subject to random searches without prior notice or reasonable suspicion. Students shall have no expectation of privacy in any school locker.
Surveillance Cameras
(Refer to BOE policy EBC, JGGA, and KGD)
The district may use surveillance cameras and other electronic devices to monitor student activity. Surveillance cameras may be used to monitor students riding in district vehicles and to monitor student behavior in or around any district facility.
Surveillance footage which is a record of student behavior shall be secured until the digital storage mechanism or tapes on which the footage is maintained is either reused or erased. Surveillance footage of personally identifiable students depicting their involvement in an altercation or other violation of law or district policy shall be considered a student record and shall be subject to current law for the release of student record information.