Catasauqua High School Assistant Principal David Domchek explained to board members during the Aug. 1 policy committee meeting careful precautions are taken before he and other high school administrators and teachers search a student's locker or personal effects.

Domchek's explanation came in response to an inquiry by board member Christine Naegel regarding the school's search and seizure power as codified in the proposed 2012-13 high school student handbook.

"We take all the necessary precautions and when in doubt I call Bob [district Superintendent Robert Spengler] and get in touch with Dave [district Solicitor David Knerr]," he said.

Domchek said he will not search a student's locker unless he has a reasonable cause for suspicion.

He noted the school informs students in advance that school administrators have the power to open and enter lockers.

"We give them notice lockers are subject to search," Domchek said.

He added if he reasonably believes a student has a weapon on his or her person, he will search a student and if a belief exists the student possess a tobacco product, he will ask the student to empty the contents of a purse, bag and/or pockets in front of him.

In the event of a serious incident, he immediately contacts local police.

Knerr told the board the school district must adhere to the core constitutional requirements for a reasonable expectation of privacy.

"The Fourth Amendment still applies to us," Knerr said. "It's just a lesser standard than a police officer coming up to someone on the street."

Regarding the high school's authority to search a student's vehicle parked on school property, Domchek explained if the car is registered with the school and displays a parking pass, he may search the vehicle.

If the vehicle is parked on school property but it is not registered with the school, he will contact the parent before searching the car.

Also during the policy committee meeting, Naegel asked Domchek if there exists any exception that student athletes receive a letter for a sport if they are injured and unable to play, pursuant to the handbook.

Domchek said if a student is injured and does not meet the requirement of field play, the student will not receive a letter. He said, however, individual cases can and are evaluated by the head coach, who may determine the student-athlete is deserving of a letter.

"Final decisions for letters are made by the head coaches," he said. "It could be the case where an injured student is the driving force behind a team's success."

The high school student handbook, along with the Sheckler Elementary and Catasauqua Middle School student handbooks, were approved at Monday's school board meeting.