Search and lockdown spark Fluvanna controversy

An unannounced canine search and lockdown at Fluvanna County High School has caused concern. Hawes Spencer has this report.

Parents learned about April 15 via voicemail.

[audio recording] "In the interest in maintaining a safe learning environment, Fluvanna County Public Schools conducted a search....The high school was placed on lockdown as a team swept the hallways of the high school and the school's parking lot...."

Student services director Frank Leech explains.

"To keep drugs and things like that out of the schools."

Parent Brian Mundy bristles.

"It seems unusual that you would treat high school kids as criminals by searching their lockers and cars."

Civil libertarian John Whitehead shares the concern.

"Are they teaching kids about the 4th Amendment, about the Bill of Rights, that you can't just come in and search people and lock things down without probable cause? If not, they're teaching kids they live in a police state."

The Sheriff's Department says the operation resulted in a single misdemeanor drug charge against a juvenile. For WCVE News, Hawes Spencer in Charlottesville.

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IMAGES: Fluvanna Schools invited the local sheriff's department to search. (Wikimedia)

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