Pubdate: Tue, 13 Nov 2007 Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI) Copyright: 2007 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. Contact: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/195 Author: Paul Tyksinski WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL OVER LOCKER SEARCHES? Much has been written recently, including your recent editorial, about school locker searches and the use of drug-sniffing dogs. You correctly point out that the locker belongs to the school. The searches could be authorized at the time the locker is assigned through the use of a simple form stating that all lockers are subject to random searches. This form would be signed by the parent, who, I think, would be only too pleased that the school is looking out for the child's welfare. If the form is not signed, then a locker is not assigned and the student has to carry all excess baggage from classroom to classroom. A locker is not a space to hide something, and it is certainly not a place for drug sellers to keep their inventory. Due cause for a search can easily be established through the use of a drug-sniffing dog. Unfortunately, they would not catch handguns, knives or explosives. I have taught at a school where dogs were brought in for random searches. It was all explained up-front to the students, and there were no problems. Teachers and administrators see the students for only a few hours each day. Contrary to expectations, they have neither the time nor responsibility to provide substitute parental control. The best that the schools can do is to control their space and environment so that students are not a danger to themselves or others. So let's stop the hand-wringing and proceed to solving the issue. After all, look at what happens daily at our airports - bodily searches, luggage searches and being subjected to sniffing dogs. Paul Tyksinski, Kailua - --- MAP posted-by: Derek