THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 10, 1995 TAG: 9505100445
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BARCO LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
An upcoming Currituck County High School policy requiring mesh or clear book bags violates students' constitutional right to privacy, according to a petition being circulated.
A formal request, signed by about 360 high school students and parents, calls for the Currituck County Board of Education and high school administration to abandon plans to allow only mesh or ``see-through'' bags beginning next year.
The purpose of the policy is to enhance the security on campus by discouraging students from hiding weapons or illegal drugs inside book bags carried to classes.
``We have made a real effort to stay away from metal detectors and security guards, like a lot of other schools have,'' Principal Richard Wardle said Tuesday.
``This book bag thing was just an effort to be proactive to school violence,'' he said, adding that he is ``open to negotiation.''
The policy was created a couple years ago by a group of high school department heads but would not be effective until the 1995-96 school year.
``Book bags are expensive, and we did not want to create a hardship for families,'' Wardle said of the decision to delay enforcement until next year.
Of special concern are classes held in the 18 mobile units surrounding the Barco facility. The trailers can isolate teachers and students from others at the school, Wardle said.
The new policy was announced in the 1994-95 school manual, distributed in August to students. Vocal opposition to the new rule has been building throughout theschool year.
``This new policy violates the right of privacy given to all U.S. citizens in the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution, unless probable cause is warranted or given,'' the petition states.
And while petitioners say the new book bags may prevent illegal drugs and weapons from being concealed, it also could expose students to embarrassment and theft.
``What kind of bag will girls be allowed to carry their feminine hygiene products? How many boys and girls want their undergarments paraded around in public?'' the document reads.
``Where will purses, wallets, jewelry and other personal items be kept safely out of public view?''
Julie Roberts, a student athlete and secretary of the Student Government Association, helped collect petition signatures.
``I didn't have anybody to say that's a good rule. I didn't have anybody say `I like that,' '' she told the School Board Monday evening.
Wardle, who has been the high school principal for four years, said Tuesday he is a bit surprised by the backlash against the new book bags.
``I didn't think it was going to cause this much of a stir,'' he said. ``It was strictly thought of as a safety regulation.''
This year a gun was found in one student's book bag, and bullets were discovered in another. Unlike lockers, which are public property, book bags cannot be searched without a good reason.
Wardle believes book bags will not be a problem once the new high school is built and every student is given a full-length locker to store books and school supplies.
Students now have half-sized lockers in a rear hallway and normally carry belongings in book bags throughout the day.
Wardle also acknowledged that the new book bag policy was created without any student input.
``We will revisit it if it's a big enough issue,'' he said. by CNB