Student Searches

A student's individual right to privacy and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure is balanced against the school's responsibility to protect the health, safety and welfare of all persons within the school community. Designated school officials may search any student and their property (including privately owned electronic devices) and/or an impairment assessment completed when there is reasonable suspicion that a law or school rule has been or is about to be broken, or there is reasonable basis to believe that the student possesses an item which violates local, state or federal law, school board policies or division regulations, or which may be harmful to the school or its students and staff. Any illegal materials discovered by school administrators will be seized and turned over to appropriate law personnel.

Metal detectors and other types of surveillance equipment will be used in the schools and at school activities for both random searches and where reasonable suspicion to search is present. Police dogs will be used on school property to detect the presences of weapons, drugs, and/or other contraband. Depending on the infraction, appropriate legal charges can be pressed against a student. Virginia Code §16.1-269.1 permits juveniles, 14 years of age or older at the time of an alleged offense to be prosecuted as adults for specific crimes under certain circumstances.

For more information about student searches, see School Board of the City of Virginia Beach Policy 5-65 and School Board of the City of Virginia Beach Regulation 5-65.1.