This provision defines key terms used in the chapter, including protected student area, school, school official, student, and student search rule.
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. “Protected student area” includes, but is not limited to: a. A student’s body. b. Clothing worn or carried by a student. c. A student’s pocketbook, briefcase, duffel bag, bookbag, backpack, knapsack, or any other container used by a student for holding or carrying personal belongings of any kind and in the possession or immediate proximity of the student. 2. “School” means a public or nonpublic educational institution offering any of grades kindergarten through twelve. 3. “School official” means a licensed school employee, and includes unlicensed school employees employed for security or supervision purposes. 4. “Student” means a person enrolled in a school for any of grades kindergarten through twelve. 5. “Student search rule” means a rule established by the school board of a public school, pursuant to section 279.8 or 279.9, or the authorities in charge of a nonpublic school controlling the manner of the searching of students or protected student areas and school lockers, desks, and other facilities or spaces owned by the school. A student search rule, to be valid for purposes of this chapter, shall require that all searches of students or protected student areas be reasonably related in scope to the circumstances which gave rise to the need for the search and based upon consideration of relevant factors which include, but are not limited to, the following: a. The nature of the violation for which the search is being instituted. b. The age or ages and gender of the students who may be searched pursuant to the rule. c. The objectives to be accomplished by the search. 86 Acts, ch 1129, §1; 89 Acts, ch 265, §40; 95 Acts, ch 191, §55; 97 Acts, ch 84, §1, 2