A proposed update to Saucon Valley School District’s search policy that would allow for strip searches to be conducted under certain circumstances is drawing heavy criticism from parents on the Saucon Source Facebook page.
Saucon Valley High School (FILE PHOTO)
The proposed policy amendment–which could allow for warrantless strip searches in a situation where, for example, a drug-sniffing dog alerts to the presence of narcotics on a student’s person–was discussed at a Saucon Valley School Board meeting Tuesday night and detailed in a Morning Call article.
“Saucon Valley School Board take heed,” wrote Randy Yardumian in response to a request for feedback about the search policy on Facebook. “If anyone searches any of my kids (let alone a “strip search”) without my consent and presence, I will see each and every one of you in court. That is not a threat, that is a promise!”
Other parents appeared to be similarly angry about the suggested change.
“Not my minor!” said Tina Thomas. “Let me find out that one of my kids was (strip) searched without my approval or even with me not being there. I’ll slap a lawsuit so quick on them that my kids’ colleges would be paid for!”
Added Micky Garmsir, “They will NOT strip search my kids, or search them in any way, unless myself or my wife is present, or there will be charges filed.”
Although most of the parents posting comments about strip searches of students questioned the legality of the concept, a local lawyer cited a court case that could give the school district immunity in a case in which the school is deemed to have “reasonable suspicion” that the student could be a danger to himself or others.
“If the school has a reasonable suspicion the student has something dangerous to his/herself or others hidden in his/her underwear, then they can search. And even if the search is later deemed to have been unreasonable, the school and teachers may be shielded from liability because they may have qualified immunity,” commented Amanda Kurecian, who cited the court case Safford United School District v. Redding (2009), in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that school officials in Arizona who strip-searched a fourth grade student had violated the Fourth Amendment but were shielded from liability because of qualified immunity.
A CBS Philly television news van was observed at the school district campus Wednesday afternoon, though it was unclear if the news station was there to cover backlash to the proposed search policy change.
What do you think about the proposed search policy change that could allow for strip searches of Saucon Valley students? Tell us by posting a comment, and by voting in the poll.
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