02-12-25- Special Policy/Safety Committee Meeting

Bristol Public Schools’ Special Policy/Safety Committee meeting on February 12, 2025, continued review of student search-and-seizure policies 5145.123A and 5145.12. The committee discussed clarifying when searches may occur, who may conduct or direct them, the role of trained administrators and witnesses, and how to distinguish handheld metal-detection devices from broader search procedures. No procurement, spending, contract, or budget activity was identified.

The committee voted in favor of changing policy 5145.123A’s title from “Use of Metal Detectors” to “Use of Metal Detecting Device.” A motion was also made and seconded to send policy 5145.12 to the full board with proposed edits, including replacing “reasonable grounds” with “reasonable suspicion,” revising language on searches by school officials, and removing the parent-presence provision and post-search form requirement. The transcript does not record a vote on that second motion.