District proposes parent notice before non-emergency student searches

What happened

Miles City schools are considering a policy requiring a reasonable attempt to notify a parent before searching a student in a non-emergency situation. The change is among recommended policy amendments scheduled for a first reading at the November 9 board meeting; it has not yet been adopted.

Why it matters to families

If adopted, families would have a chance to be informed before a non-emergency search of their child, while the proposal does not require prior notice in emergencies.

The evidence

The superintendent’s November 2026 notes say the recommended amendment to Model Policy 3231 (Searches and Seizures) would require a reasonable attempt to notify a parent before a search in a non-emergency situation, for consistency with Montana parental-rights and privacy laws. The agenda lists recommended policy amendments for first reading on November 9; the notes recommend approval, but no board decision is included in this record.

The source