Dear Parents/Guardians/Caretakers,

Ensuring Hancock Central School District students have a safe, drug-free and healthy environment in which to learn and grow is a top priority for the Board of Education and all who work in your schools. We believe this is a true reflection of our community’s core values and expectations.

 

Incidents of school violence, drug use/possession and alcohol use/possession are on the rise with regard to young people in society as a whole. Therefore, the District is taking action to ensure its educational environment is free of drugs, alcohol and guns.

 

Police dogs will assist school personnel in detecting drugs, alcohol and guns by randomly searching District property, such as hall lockers, gym lockers and vehicles in our parking lots. Students, parents, and caretakers are reminded that all locker contents – including personal possessions, book bags, closed containers and clothing – are subject to search in the event a police dog hits on a student locker.

 

With respect to student cars parked on school property, an indication by a police dog gives the reasonable suspicion necessary for the District and local law enforcement to search the pupil’s vehicle. Specifically, the student will be asked to open the vehicle to facilitate a comprehensive examination of the contents within the vehicle.

 

Only school administrators and local law enforcement will know the search days in advance. Police dogs will not search/sniff students.

 

If drugs, alcohol and/or guns are found, law enforcement and District officials will take appropriate disciplinary action. The District also will immediately notify parents, guardians, and caretakers.  

 

We deeply believe that all teachers and students have the right to teach and learn in a safe and secure environment. A District free of drugs, alcohol and guns is more likely to be free of intimidation, threats and victimization.

 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this letter, please call a building administrator listed below.

 

Sincerely,

Michael Williams, Interim PK-12 Principal

Jackie Beamer, Director of Pupil Personnel