Legal Memorandum
MEMORANDUM
To: Scott Haddock, Supervising Attorney
From: Bob Barker, Super Senior Paralegal
Re: Paige Turner Our file No.: 12095 Public school searches
Date: June 6, 2013
I. Issues
1. The issue is whether public school officials have the authority to perform strip searches of students in suspicion of hiding illegal drugs.
2. The issue is whether public school districts can perform random drug screening of students who participate in school athletic programs under state or federal law.
II. Brief Answers
1. No. Strip searches of students in public schools of students are completely prohibited by state and federal law under any circumstances.
2. Public school officials are in violation of Washington State law but are not in violation of Federal law by conducting random drug tests on students who participate in athletic programs.
III. Facts
Mr. and Mrs. Turner have contacted our law firm to assess potential civil rights violations regarding their 18-year-old daughter Paige Turner.
On April 19, 2013, an undisclosed student informed Vice Principal Robyn Banks, of West Lynnwood High School that Senior Dan Druff distributed some type of pill to fellow senior Paige Turner during study hall earlier that morning. Later that day, Vice Principal Banks called Ms. Turner into her office and interrogated her about the incident. Immediately, Ms. Turner admitted that Mr. Druff gave her a pill, but also explained that it was an extra-strength Tylenol used to treat her headache. Mrs. Banks informed Ms. Turner that, by accepting this medicine without a prescription or doctor’s note, she violated LSD’s Alcohol and Drug Policy 24.36(b).
Mrs. Banks advised Ms. Turner to call her parents and inform them of the situation. As Mrs. Turner shuffled through her purse in search of her cell phone, a small clear plastic bag that contained unlabeled pills accidentally fell onto Vice Principal Banks’ desk. Vice
To: Scott Haddock, Supervising Attorney
From: Bob Barker, Super Senior Paralegal
Re: Paige Turner Our file No.: 12095 Public school searches
Date: June 6, 2013
I. Issues
1. The issue is whether public school officials have the authority to perform strip searches of students in suspicion of hiding illegal drugs.
2. The issue is whether public school districts can perform random drug screening of students who participate in school athletic programs under state or federal law.
II. Brief Answers
1. No. Strip searches of students in public schools of students are completely prohibited by state and federal law under any circumstances.
2. Public school officials are in violation of Washington State law but are not in violation of Federal law by conducting random drug tests on students who participate in athletic programs.
III. Facts
Mr. and Mrs. Turner have contacted our law firm to assess potential civil rights violations regarding their 18-year-old daughter Paige Turner.
On April 19, 2013, an undisclosed student informed Vice Principal Robyn Banks, of West Lynnwood High School that Senior Dan Druff distributed some type of pill to fellow senior Paige Turner during study hall earlier that morning. Later that day, Vice Principal Banks called Ms. Turner into her office and interrogated her about the incident. Immediately, Ms. Turner admitted that Mr. Druff gave her a pill, but also explained that it was an extra-strength Tylenol used to treat her headache. Mrs. Banks informed Ms. Turner that, by accepting this medicine without a prescription or doctor’s note, she violated LSD’s Alcohol and Drug Policy 24.36(b).
Mrs. Banks advised Ms. Turner to call her parents and inform them of the situation. As Mrs. Turner shuffled through her purse in search of her cell phone, a small clear plastic bag that contained unlabeled pills accidentally fell onto Vice Principal Banks’ desk. Vice