2016-2017 Student Handbook | Page 79

Policy 8690 MONITORING DEVICES ON SCHOOL VEHICLES The Board of Education recognizes that safe and secure conditions for all pupils transported in school owned or contracted school vehicles is paramount. Pupils transported in a school owned or contracted school vehicle must maintain proper discipline in the vehicle at all times. To maintain the safe and secure conditions for all pupils transported on school owned or contracted school vehicles, the Board may use devices to monitor and/or observe pupil behavior, teacher and support staff behavior, school bus driver discipline procedures and/or school bus driver driving techniques. The device may be a sound video camera, a voice monitoring device or other appropriate devices. Each school vehicle will have a sign clearly posted in the school vehicle stating that: “Video And/Or Audio Monitoring Devices Are Used On School Owned And Contracted Vehicles And This Vehicle May Be Monitored At Any Time.” The recording may be used in pupil and staff discipline matters, driver evaluations or for driver discipline or training. Notice of this policy will be provided to parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and all transportation personnel each year in staff, pupil and/or parent handbooks. N.J.S.A. 18A:11-1 20 USCA 1231g 30 CFR 300.571 Part 99, 300.572, 300.5773 Adopted: 14 March 2012 SEARCHES Student searches by school officials based upon reasonable suspicion that are reasonable in scope may be conducted by school officials to detect violations of school rules and regulations. In order for a search to be reasonable, there must be reasonable grounds at its inception for suspecting that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school and the search must be reasonably related in scope to the circumstances which justified the interference in the first place. (New Jersey v. T.L.O.) Student searches by police are typically limited by criminal law and the Fourth Amendment and warrant, which is issued upon a showing of probable cause. require a School officials may inspect student lockers or other storage facilities at any time. USE OF REASONABLE FORCE A staff member is permitted to use force with pupils as is reasonable and necessary (1) to quell a disturbance, threatening physical injury to others, (2) to obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects upon the person or within the control of a pupil, (3) for the purpose of self- defense, and (4) for the protection of persons or property. FREEDOM OF RELIGION There is a fundamental constitutional right which guarantees all citizens the right to “free exercise” of their religion. Absence from school because of observance of a religious holiday is an excused absence when a note signed by a parent, guardian, or an adult acting on behalf of a parent is presented to the proper school authority. THE STUDENT AND HIS/HER STUDENT GOVERNMENT Student government is an opportunity for students to experience the governance of schools and voice their opinions and views about how their own school should operate. Student government also serves to strengthen relationships between students, faculty, and administration. As with all extracurricular