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Lakeland policy committee debates breathalyzer, wands and where to place search-and-seizure language
Summary
Committee members reviewed draft language that would allow breathalyzer testing at school-sponsored events and discussed whether that language should remain in a standalone activities policy or be folded into the district’s student-discipline and emergency-preparedness policies; members agreed to send the revised language out for public survey.
Lakeland District policy committee members on an administrative call reviewed draft language that would permit breathalyzer testing of students at school-sponsored events and discussed how that language should fit with existing search-and-seizure and emergency procedures.
The draft text under consideration says breathalyzer testing could be used "to ensure a safe environment" at school property or school-sponsored events and that students who refuse testing "will be denied admittance to the extracurricular school event, and their parents will be notified." Committee members debated whether that wording should remain in the activities policy (policy 3410 as cited on the agenda), be added to the student-discipline policy (policy 3330), or appear in emergency-procedures materials (policy 8300 and related procedures).
The discussion centered on differences between random or entry testing at dances and breathalyzer use tied to reasonable suspicion. A district staff member, Jessica, noted that the activities draft read "Students who refuse a random breathalyzer test will be denied admittance to the extracurricular school event, and their parents will be notified," and asked whether the committee wanted the term "random" retained. Committee members said the school-day, reasonable-suspicion uses (for example, when staff smell alcohol or have grounds to suspect use) are better framed in the student-discipline/search-and-seizure policy, while breathalyzer use for admittance at dances and other events could be listed under activities or as a cross-referenced procedure.
Members discussed wand (metal-detector) screening separately. Several said wand procedures are operational and belong in emergency-preparedness or operational procedures rather than as standalone board policy. The committee also flagged that procedures for wands and breathalyzers should be consistent with the district’s crisis plan and, where appropriate, reviewed with the school resource officers (SROs). Deputy Wheeler was named as an SRO in the meeting record; the committee said they would invite SRO supervisors to an executive-session conversation about operational details so as not to publish sensitive emergency procedures.
The committee asked administration to add a short paragraph about breathalyzer use to the activities policy and cross-reference student-discipline and emergency procedures. They agreed that the district should circulate the revised language and related policy excerpts in a public survey. No formal vote was recorded during the committee discussion; members agreed on next steps and the need to coordinate policy text, procedures and SRO involvement.
Notable next steps included: adding breathalyzer wording to the activities policy and cross-linking search-and-seizure and emergency procedures; sharing the revised language in the public survey process; and scheduling a confidential meeting with SRO supervisors to review operational implications.
