Committee clears draft search‑testing language (policy 3370) and discusses event testing (policy 3410) for board consideration

At a meeting of the LAKELAND DISTRICT policy committee (date not specified), members reviewed draft policy 3370 (search and seizure) and draft policy 3410 (testing at school events). Staff reported 3370 received support in the committee’s survey while 3410 drew concern; committee members discussed differences between reasonable‑suspicion testing and event‑specific screening and agreed both drafts should go forward to the board with clarifying edits.

The committee said draft 3370 includes language permitting building administrators to use breathalyzers and wands under reasonable suspicion; draft 3410 includes language proposing breathalyzer testing at school dances and other extracurricular events and a provision that students who refuse testing may be denied admission and parents notified. Administrators noted the two drafts serve different legal standards: suspicion‑based testing (3370) versus event‑based participation conditions (3410). The group discussed restoring or removing language from an earlier (02/2007) draft referring to “clandestine groups,” and a member asked why that phrase was omitted from 3410 survey language.

The committee directed staff to clarify 3410’s event language (for example listing dances and extracurricular activities) and to ensure 3370 remains focused on reasonable‑suspicion searches. Both policies were placed on the packet to go before the board; no formal vote was recorded at committee. The committee also flagged that policy drafts and survey instruments should be cleaned of student names before broader distribution.