Safety/Security Procedures

• Coats and book bags must be kept in lockers during the school day. See-through book bags may be used to carry books to classes.
• Each student must carry a pass when leaving a class in progress.
• All secondary students must wear valid ID badges when they are in the school building.

Student Searches

Under Maryland Education Article, Section 7-308, the principal, assistant principal, or school police of a public school may make a reasonable search of a student on school premises, or on a school-sponsored trip, if that individual has a reasonable belief that the student possesses an item, the possession of which is a criminal offense under the laws of this State or a violation of any other State law or a rule or regulation of the school board. The search shall be made in the presence of a third party.

The principal, assistant principal, or school police may also search the physical plant of a school and its furnishings and equipment, including the lockers of the students. The right of the school official to search the locker shall be announced or published previously in the school.

Possession of Portable Pagers

Under Maryland Education Article, Section 26-104, an individual's possession of any portable pager on public school property is prohibited. "Portable pager" means any device carried, worn, or transported by an individual to receive or communicate messages. Such devices include cellular telephones as well as "beepers". If an individual is found to be in possession of a portable pager, the school authorities will immediately contact the School Police and the violator may be arrested.

This policy does not apply to (1) disabled students using portable pagers for medical reasons; (2) law enforcement officers; (3) visitors on public school property for any authorized program, meeting, or function; (4) faculty or staff members employed by the school board; (5) members of any volunteer fire department, ambulance company, or rescue squad whom the school principal and the chief of the volunteer fire department, ambulance company, or rescue squad have authorized to possess a portable pager on school property; and (6) students whose portable pagers are contained in vehicles that are on public school property and are not found to be connected with criminal activity.
Appropriate disciplinary action for students found to be in possession of portable pagers may also be taken by the school in accordance with the established rules and procedures of the Board of School Commissioners. In addition, violators of this policy may be fined up to $2,500 and/or be sentenced to up to six months in jail.