The removal of a student during the school day may be authorized in accordance with the following procedures:

1. Law enforcement officers, upon proper identification, may remove a student from school without a warrant provided that the law enforcement officer signs a statement that he/she is removing the student from the school and has notified the parent/guardian in advance. Such authority to take a student into custody is based on the existence of probable cause.

2. Any other agencies must have a written administrative or court order directing the school district to give custody to them. Proper identification is required before the student shall be released.

3. A student shall be released to the custodial parent/guardian. When in doubt as to who has custodial rights, school enrollment records will be relied upon to determine who has custodial rights unless appropriate legal documents evidencing who has such rights are available. The parent/guardian has the burden of furnishing school with accurate, up-to-date information.

4. The school principal shall always check with the custodial parent/guardian before releasing the student to a noncustodial parent/guardian.

5. Prior written authorization from the custodial parent/guardian is required before releasing a student into someone else's custody unless an emergency situation justifies a waiver or such release is pursuant to one of the above paragraphs.

6. District security or the local police should be called if a visitor becomes disruptive or abusive.

Highline School District 401
Approved by the Superintendent: June 25, 1986