The Simi Valley Unified School District school board will vote at its Tues., Sept. 15 meeting on an updated search and seizure policy, which would include a change that specifies that contrabandsniffing dogs can search student parking lots.

The policy as it stands allows school officials to search students, their property and district property, like lockers, when “there is a reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover evidence that (the student) is violating the law, board policy, administrative regulation or other rules of the district or the school.”

Staff then has the right to seize any unsafe, illegal or prohibited items.

When it comes to searches, lockers, desks, purses, backpacks, student vehicles parked on district property, cellular phones or other electronic communication devices are all considered fair game.

Added language includes: “Searches of and in parking lots shall be in student parking lots only.”

If a contraband-sniffing dog alerts its handler to something in a locked vehicle, the student who brought it will be asked to unlock it. When concerns about private property were raised, Superintendent Kathryn Scroggin pointed out the legality.

“On district property, we have the right to ask a student to open the car,” Scroggin said Tuesday during a special school board meeting.

Contraband-detection dogs aren’t used in classrooms when they’re occupied. When a dog is going to inspect a room, students will exit; however, no student can be forced to leave personal items behind unless there is reasonable suspicion.

The dogs may sniff the air around lockers, desks or vehicles on district property or at districtsponsored events, but the board was careful to point out that they won’t sniff individuals, or get into close proximity with students.

The dogs also can’t sniff any personal items on a student without their consent, according to the policy.

Board member Debbie Sandland was concerned that students may not know they have an option.

“How do they give consent?” Sandland asked. “I bet most of them don’t know they have the right to refuse. Do they know their rights?”

Board member Jeanne Davis pointed out that although the students can say no to a dog sniffing them, if there’s a reasonable determination made that there are drugs or other contraband on the student, they can be sent to the office to be searched. Staff members who conduct the searches must receive training regarding the requirements of the district’s policy and other legal issues, and the board “urges” employees to exercise “discretion and good judgment.”

If drugs or other illegal contraband are found, the administrator will speak with the student, notify parents and usually suspend the student for five days. A recommendation for expulsion will be made when appropriate, and the police will also be contacted as required.

Scroggin said that principals don’t necessarily want assemblies notifying students about the contraband-sniffing dog program but will send out parent letters.

The Canine Search and Training program is administered by the Simi Valley Unified School District with the aid of the Simi Valley Police Department. The SVPD uses the campus visits for training purposes, as well as to remind students that campuses are drug free.