Police Interrogation & Investigation - It is the desire of the school district to cooperate fully with all law enforcement agencies in the community. When law enforcement officials find it necessary to interview students during the day for non-school related investigations, they will contact the student only through the principal's office. All interviews with students at school, by officers of the law, will be conducted in a private office with principal or counselor present and any other staff as necessary. The officer of the law will notify the parent of the interview, prior to meeting with the student. In the event it becomes necessary to interview the student away from school, either the police or a member of the school staff will notify the parents of the time and place of the interview. Occasionally, a principal may find it necessary to call the police department for assistance in handling a pupil guilty of some serious offense committed at school. In such cases, the principal will, either prior to or immediately after contacting the police, attempt to contact the student’s parent/guardian. The School Resource Officer (SRO) routinely makes inquiries regarding discipline. Except when law enforcement officers have a warrant or other court order, or when an emergency or other exigent circumstance exist, such interviews and interrogations are discouraged during the students’ class time. The principal and principal’s designee have the right and the obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent disruption of school operations and the educational process, while at the same time cooperating with law enforcement efforts.

Restraining Orders - The responsibility for showing such a court order to the proper school officials rests with the parent/guardian. The actual court order must be presented to school officials so that a photocopy can be made and kept in the office files at all times for reference. If an adult is under court order not to see a child and that individual comes to school in an effort to see that child, she/he shall be refused permission.

Searches of Students and Lockers - A student’s person and/or personal effects (i.e. book bag, purse, etc.) may be searched when the principal, assistant principal or other designated person has reasonable suspicion to believe that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school. School lockers, although temporarily assigned to individual students, remain the property of the school district. The school district has a reasonable and valid interest insuring that the lockers are properly maintained. For this reason, the periodic inspection of lockers is permissible to be checked. In addition, a student’s locker may be searched when the principal, assistant principal or other designated person has reasonable suspicion that the locker may contain items that have violated or are violating either the law or the rules of the school.

Smoking - Raymond School District students are not permitted to smoke or possess tobacco products in the building on the school grounds or on school buses per Chapter 338. Any student bringing tobacco products into school will have them confiscated. In addition, pursuant to Warrant Article 31 of the Town of Raymond, smoking is PROHIBITED from any town fields. Smoking at school or on school grounds or on buses will result in a progressive punishment for each further offense.

Stealing – Violations of this will result in school disciplinary action, and the Raymond Police Department will be notified.

Vandalism/Misuse of School Property - Willful destruction, or misuse of school property (books, walls, desks, chairs, lockers, etc.) is prohibited and will result in revocation of graduation ceremony privileges. Those apprehended will pay for the damage and face serious consequences for their actions. Pulling a fire alarm and causing a false fire alarm is a civil offense and will be referred to the Raymond School District Administration and to the Raymond Police Department. Violations will result in school disciplinary action.

DANGEROUS WEAPONS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

Dangerous weapons, such as but not limited to firearms, explosives, incendiaries, martial arts weapons (as defined in RSA 159:24), electronic defense weapons (such as defined in RSA 159:20), clubs, billies, metallic knuckles, or containers containing chemicals such as pepper gas or mace, or the use of any object as a weapon, are not permitted on school property, on school vehicles, or at school-sponsored activities. Student violations of this policy will result in both school disciplinary action and notification of the police. Suspension or expulsion from school could result.

In addition, any student who is determined to have brought a firearm (as defined by 18 US 921) to school will be expelled for not less than one year (365 days). This expulsion may be modified by the Superintendent upon review of the specific case in accordance with other applicable laws. Such students will be referred to the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system.

Weapons under control of law enforcement personnel are permitted.

All students will receive written notice of this policy at least once each year.

Statutory/Regulatory Reference:
RSA 193-D
RSA 193-13
ED. 317
See Appendix JICD-R
Adopted: November 16, 1992
R/R: 10/6/94, 3/23/95
Revised: August 1, 2002