Public schools and searching

I'm wondering if anyone knows if it is legal for public schools to search kids. Yesterday my son came home and told me he had to remove his shoes, socks, shirt and pants (he had on gym shorts and boxers too)because a group of boys walking down the hall was talking about marijuana, he told me he was just walking along with them and made no comment at all-that he was just walking with them. He has never been in any trouble and has never smoked anything-they threatened drug testing as well. The lady who made him (strip?)
had no other person there, and never called me to tell me anything happened either. I feel that his privacy and his rights were violated. What do you think? Hes 13. There was more than just my son made to strip...

I don't care what they are suspected of a strip search demeans the person. A pat down like the police and TSA use would be more that sufficient for this.

I plan on going down there Monday morning and speaking with the principal. Seems like a man should of been present..She even investigated the crumbs in his pockets and made him turn his socks inside out..(He is ADHD and she asked him why he was so nervous)

Sounds like a major breach of privacy. I think schools can search a child's belongings (like lockers and backpacks), but to order them to take off clothing is another deal. I'd look into specific laws and rules if you can, before meeting with the principal, even.

Thanks Sylvia and Sib. I feel so dumb because I called down there and left a heated message telling them they needed to call me back or I was locking my store and coming down there...then I remembered it was Saturday...

Yes Sibs, I will check. Thanks heaps

Belongings and school property (lockers, desks) may be searched, but in order for a child to be searched like that, it must be done by a police officer with the parent there or at least notified. That's what the law was in Oregon while I was in school. May be different, like Sib said, I would definitely do some research, then give em hell.

For sure Britt I will...He is still really shook up about it. I made him tell me everything..leaving nothing out, I told him I dont need any surprises when I go down there.

I can't see how they can justify making a kid take off most of their clothes, like Sylvia said its degrading. Then drilling him like a prisoner.

I have the rest of the weekend to cool off or get madder...and research.

Thanks Britt!

I have to say that this is quite disturbing and very wrong. There should have been someone else present with authority. It is great that your son told you what happened. What scares me are the other kids out there who this may have happened to (or worse) and are scared to say anything. I hope it works out for you and I hope that the teacher realises what she did is wrong. It could scar them for a very long time!

I go to middle school and yesterday they did a very similar thing to me, so I guess its allowed. Not that I was a fan of it, and hell no to me telling my parents, but since your son did tell you, I give him a round of applause. If anything I would suggest calling if the school has one, the guidance councilor, they would be able to resolve the situation in a matter of minutes. Then again since I am a child, I guess I'll have a different perspective than you, so I'm sorry to intrude.

And this is exactly why you need government out of schooling. Fake social contracts that you nor your child signed.

That's scary, especially because he has ADHD. They are most definitely not allowed to do that without the parents consent. I'm a training teacher and they tell us about these things. He's a minor and anything they ask him to do should be discussed with you.