It is the goal of Knox County Schools to provide a safe learning environment free from dangerous weapons, drugs and drug paraphernalia.The use of these items in our greater community is at a life or health threatening level and, therefore, random searches are necessary to protect the student body. 

All vehicles, lockers other storage areas, containers, packages and their contents brought onto the school property by students or visitors are subject to search for weapons, drugs and drug paraphernalia. Random searches will be conducted in a manner no more intrusive than necessary to achieve the goal of preventing drugs, drug paraphernalia, firearms, and other dangerous weapons in schools.   

As stated in Board of Education policy J-201, random personal searches of students may be conducted on school campuses by the use of walk-through metal detectors or handheld magnetometers.4 Officers of the Knox County Schools Security Division shall conduct any and all random searches adhering to the following guidelines:  

1. The search shall be scheduled in advance with the school principal and approved by the Director of Schools.
2. The search will be supervised by a sergeant or more senior supervisor assigned to the School Security Division. A school administrator, designated by the principal, will also be on hand to assist as may be required.
3. The search will be conducted by an appropriate number of security officers to ensure all activities are complete prior to the scheduled start of the school day.
4. The search shall be videotaped for an archived record that is maintained for one calendar year. 
5. The school’s assigned School Security Officer will not directly participate in the search but may advise the search team with respect to school specific expectations and protocols.
6.  Based on the volume of students entering the school building, a random number of students will be searched.
7. The sergeant or senior supervisor in charge of the search will determine the random number of students to be searched (i.e. every 4th, 6th or 10th student etc.) This random number can change throughout the search based on the ebb and flow of students entering the building – the more students the fewer that are searched.
8. The randomly selected students shall be searched using either a walk through or a handheld magnetometer, asked to empty pockets and their backpacks or other book bags shall be searched. 

At the completion of the search, the sergeant or other supervisor in charge shall report any findings to the school principal or the principal’s representative. The Chief of the Security Division shall report any findings and the number of students search to the Chief Operating Officer and the Director of Schools.