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Board amends student-search policy to let administrators conduct searches without immediate SRO involvement
Summary
The board revised Policy 446 to clarify that school administration may conduct searches of students' person or personal belongings and involve school resource officers only when expertise of law enforcement is necessary; passage was unanimous after an amendment.
The Green Bay Area Public School District Board approved revisions to Board Policy 446 (student searches) on Feb. 14, 2025, amending the policy to make explicit that school administrators may conduct searches of a student's person or personal belongings under the administration's direction and that school resource officers (SROs) or other law-enforcement assistance may be contacted only when a search suggests the student is in possession of dangerous materials requiring law-enforcement expertise.
Board member Rick (first name only in transcript) opened the discussion by asking that any changes minimize routine SRO involvement and avoid rapid escalation of incidents that staff can handle without police. "The intent was to minimize SRO involvement in what would then be searches that would not necessarily result in some sort of criminal escalation," Rick said. He proposed removing language that could be read as directing administrators to contact SROs even when not necessary.
Board member Lynn (first name only) proposed language the board adopted as an amendment. The amended paragraph reads in part: "In a situation in which a search of a student's person or personal belongings is appropriate, school administration may conduct the search under the administration's direction. If the information justifying the search suggests that the student is in possession of dangerous materials, whereby the expertise of law enforcement is necessary, school administration may contact law enforcement and request their assistance." The amendment was accepted and seconded, and the voice vote on the amendment passed unanimously.
After additional discussion the board voted to approve Policy 446 as amended. The motion passed; the chair announced "Motion carries." The transcript records unanimous voice votes during the amendment and approval steps.
Board members said the change clarifies that administrators have discretion to conduct searches when they judge no imminent law-enforcement need exists and that SROs remain available for situations involving weapons or other dangerous materials.
Ending: The board approved the revisions as amended and moved on to related policy votes that evening.
