Board updates student search policy; training requirement means administrators await state guidance

The MNPS governance board approved revisions to the district’s interrogation and search policy to align with recent state legislative changes that limit who may conduct searches and interrogations. Under the revised language, sworn law‑enforcement officers and school administrators who have completed the required training may conduct searches or interrogations. Policy staff said the state-mandated training for school staff has not yet been released. Board and staff members discussed how the district will proceed while waiting for state guidance. Staff told the board that, in practice, principals and administrators have historically performed searches when necessary and will continue to do so until the state training is provided; sworn school resource officers (SROs) always retain authority to search. Board members asked for clarification on standards for conducting searches. The policy includes a “reasonableness” standard, and several board members sought clarity about wording that says a search “will yield evidence” of a policy violation or dangerous contraband. Staff and a board member who is a former principal explained the provision describes a threshold of reasonable belief that a search is likely to uncover evidence — not a requirement that a search must always find contraband. The board also discussed the district’s Evolv weapons-detection screening system. Staff and security leaders said Evolv is a screening tool; secondary screening after an Evolv alert may lead to a search, but the metal-detection process itself is treated as a non-search screener. District leaders said secondary procedures are designed to protect student dignity and will call an SRO or administrator when a more intrusive search is required. The board moved and approved the policy language; staff said they will update training and procedures as the state releases official guidance.