School Board Policy 527 -
Student Use and Parking of Motor Vehicles; Patrols, Inspections and Searches

I. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the use and parking of motor vehicles by students in school district locations, to maintain order and discipline in the schools, and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of students and school personnel.

II. General Statement of Policy

The policy of this school district is to allow the limited use and parking of motor vehicles by students in school district locations. The position of the school district is that a fair and equitable district-wide student motor vehicle policy will contribute to the quality of the students’ educational experience. This policy applies to all students in the school district.

III. Definitions

A. "Contraband" means any unauthorized item, possession of which is prohibited by school district policy and/or law. It includes but is not limited to, weapons and "look-alikes", alcoholic beverages, controlled substances and "look-alikes", and other materials belonging to the school district, and stolen property.

B. "Reasonable scope" means that the scope and/or intrusiveness of the search is reasonably related to the objectives of the search. Factors to consider in determining what is reasonable include the seriousness of the suspected infraction, the reliability of the information, the necessity of acting without delay, the existence of exigent circumstances necessitating an immediate search and further investigation (e.g. to prevent violence, serious and immediate risk of harm or destruction of evidence), and the age of the student.

C. "Reasonable suspicion" means that a school official has grounds to believe that the search will result in evidence of a violation of school district policy, rules, and/or law. Reasonable suspicion may be based on a school official’s personal observation, a report from a student, parent, or staff member, a student’s suspicious behavior, a student’s age, and past history or record of conduct both in and out of the school context, or other reliable sources of information.

D. "School district location" means property that is owned, rented, leased, or borrowed by the school district for school purposes, as well as property immediately adjacent to such property that may be used for parking or gaining access to such property. A school district location also shall include any site where a school function occurs, such as a school-sponsored or school-approved activity, event, or function, such as a field trip or athletic event, where students are under the jurisdiction of the school district.

IV. Student Use of Motor Vehicles in School District Locations 

Students generally are not permitted to use motor vehicles during the school day in any school district location. Students may use motor vehicles on the high school campuses during the school day only if there is an emergency and/or permission has been granted to the student by a designated school official. Except for situations where students have completed the appropriate form and received permission or when district transportation is not provided, students representing the school district through their participation in district events, sports, and activities, are required to use district-provided transportation to and from district events

V. Student Parking of Motor Vehicles in School District Locations 

A. Students are permitted to park in a school district location as a matter of privilege, not of right. Students driving a motor vehicle to a high school campus may park the motor vehicle in the parking lot(s) and/or section of the parking lot(s) designated for student parking only. Students will not park vehicles in driveways, on private property, on street locations where parking is restricted, or in other designated areas, e.g. parking lots designated for use only by staff or by the general public, including designated visitor parking areas. Students who park in designated student parking areas must display a valid, school-issued parking permit. A valid permit is one that has been paid in full and has been issued by the school for the current term. The vehicle that is parked with the permit must be on record with the school. Information about purchasing a parking permit can be found on the school’s website and in the main office.

B. When there are unauthorized vehicles parked on school district property, school officials may:

1. move the vehicle or require the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle to move it off school district property; or

2. if unattended, provide for the removal of the vehicle, at the expense of the owner or operator, to the nearest convenient garage or other place of safety off of school district property.

VI. Patrols, Inspections and Searches

School officials may conduct routine patrols of school district locations and routine inspections of the exteriors and plain-view interiors of student vehicles. In addition, the interiors of motor vehicles of students in school district locations may be searched when school officials have a reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover a violation of law and/or school policy or rule.

A. Patrols and Inspections

School personnel may conduct routine patrols of student parking lots and other school district locations and routine inspections of the motor vehicles of students. Such patrols and inspections may be conducted without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant.

B. Search of Interior of Student Motor Vehicle

The interiors of motor vehicles of students in school district locations, including glove or trunk compartments, may be searched when school officials have a reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover a violation of law and/or school policy or rule. The search will be reasonable in its scope and intrusiveness. Such searches may be conducted without notice, without consent, and without a search warrant. A student will be subject to withdrawal of parking privileges and to discipline if the student refuses to open a locked motor vehicle under the student’s control or its compartments upon the request of a school official.

C. Prohibition of Contraband and Interference with Patrols, Inspections, Searches and/or Seizures

A violation of this policy occurs when students store or carry contraband in motor vehicles in a school district location or interfere with patrols, inspections, searches, and/or seizures as provided by this policy.

D. Seizure of Contraband

If a search yields contraband, school officials will seize the item and may turn it over to law enforcement officials.

E. Dissemination of Policy

A copy of this policy will be printed in the high school student handbook and/or disseminated in any other way which school officials deem appropriate.

VII. Directives and Guidelines

The Superintendent or Superintendent's designee is authorized to develop reasonable directives and guidelines which address specific needs of the school district related to student use and parking of motor vehicles in school district locations, such as a permit system and parking regulations. Approved directives and guidelines shall be provided to students.

VIII. Violations

A student found to have violated this policy and/or the directives and guidelines implementing it shall be subject to withdrawal of parking privileges and/or to discipline in accordance with the school district’s Student Discipline Policy, which may include suspension, exclusion, or expulsion. In addition, the student may be referred to law enforcement when appropriate.

Legal References:
U.S. Const., amend. IV Minn. Const., art. I, 10
Minn. Stat. § 123B.02, subds. 1 and 5 (General Powers of Independent School Districts)
Minn. Stat. § 123B.38 (Hearing)
New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985)

Cross Reference:
WBLASB Policy 417 (Chemical Use and Abuse)
WBLASB Policy 418 (Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Workplace/Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free School)
WBLASB Policy 501 (School Weapons)
WBLASB Policy 502 (Search of Student Lockers, Desks, Personal Possessions and Student's Person)
WBLASB Policy 506 (Student Discipline)
WBLASB Policy 712 (Video Surveillance Other Than on Buses)