VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Volusia County school leaders are looking to add another level of security, which would include random searches without cause for students and visitors.
Right now, students and visitors can be randomly searched at after school events and football games. This new proposed policy would allow staff and law enforcement to search students during school hours.
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“There was a Supreme Court ruling in 1985 that allows there to be searches randomly on school campuses. It’s a safety issue,” said Volusia County school board member Jessie Thompson.
Thompson said it will be a two step decision by the board.
The policy, proposed by district leaders, would go into the Student Code of Conduct and includes a random search without cause needed with the use of metal detectors, too. Thompson said the board will vote on the proposal to see if it should be a policy or not. Then, they would have to figure out the procedure.
“It will be done at every single school. Whether it’s done on certain days, randomly done, however that looks is still up for discussion,” she said.
The sheriff’s office told News 6 that 39 weapons have been confiscated on school campuses so far this year. In all of last school year, 82 were confiscated. While this policy could add an extra layer of safety to try and prevent more weapons on campus, teacher’s union leaders worry that it could make school more unwelcoming for students.
“A randomization and searching students without provocation is not only I think a determent to what we’re trying to build for learning environments but it’s also an interruption to the academic flow,” said Elizabeth Albert, President of the Volusia United Educators union.
Parents at Spruce Creek Elementary in Port Orange had mixed thoughts on it, too, when News 6 reached out.
“I think it’s a great idea for safety reasons,” said Jessica.
Others thought it was too much without parents knowing.
“I really don’t think they should have that choice, especially without parents’ consent. It’s kind of a violation,” said Kayla.
The board will vote on the proposal Tuesday afternoon.
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