Does anyone else find it concerning that students are being forced to waive their Fourth Amendment rights for the so-called privilege of parking on public property?

You're attempt to diffuse my point is such a dismissive fashion only demonstrates your inability to form an intelligent and cohesive counter-argument. Some may argue that a policy which permits violations of one's civil rights does not constitute a "great school safety plan."

Taxpayer I'm missing the point about the violation of the student's Fourth Amendment rights. How so? Please enlighten me. "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized"

Taxpayer/Gene Neither of you are completly correct nor incorrect. The students do indeed waive a portion of their 4th amd rights in regards to their vehicles being searched. However, if you read New Jersey v. T. L. O., 469 U.S. 325 the Supreme Court ruled that searches in public schools do not require warrants, as long as the searching officers have reasonable grounds for believing that the search will result in the finding of evidence of illegal activity. By signing and agreeing to the document http://coventry.patch.com/articles/thursday-chs-parking-registration-sign-up#pdf-11073106 the student understands that the parkign lot is (in a legal definition) an extention of the school therby falling under the rules and regulations of the school.

You should also read the motor vehicle exemptions in regards to the 4th amendment,
The motor vehicle exception allows an officer to search a vehicle without a search warrant as long as he or she has probable cause to believe that evidence or contraband is located in the vehicle, The exception is based on the idea that there is a lower expectation of privacy in motor vehicles due to the regulations they operate. Additionally, the ease of mobility creates an inherent exigency to prevent the removal of evidence and contraband. In Pennsylvania v. Labron the U.S. Supreme Court, stated, “If a car is readily mobile and probable cause exists to believe it contains contraband, the Fourth Amendment thus permits police to search the vehicle without more.” Therefore, if you don't want school officials or police to have the opportunity to search your car at school TAKE THE BUS!

Bruin200k All of what you say is fine and that I understand. I guess I needed to read the actual registration form that was linked to the original article which I had not done previously. Thanks for pointing that out as now I see the connection to the Fourth Amendment and it makes sense to me that the school parking lot is an extension of the school and therefore is subject to search under current law. The problem with enforcement will be if the student's motor vehicle is parked on school property after school hours when not participating in school-sponsored activities, as I don't think the students car would be subject to search and seizure without probable cause in accordance with applicable criminal law.

That's a good question Gene, I would think and it is only speculation that a students car in the parking lot after/before school hours would still fall under the same rulingm I do not know this to be fact but with all of after school functions and whatnot is the school ever considered "closed" as far as that is concerned. If you find out post it, I'd be interested to know...