On Morning News shows and most major papers across the country today's Headlines covered the case of a 13 year old girl who was striped searched at school. A Google search provided over 3,000,000 results on "Savana Redding" from 'News results' to 'Image results'. This case is now scheduled to be heard in the US Supreme Court.

In the States of California, Iowa, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Virgina and Wisconsin, Strip Searches are banned or strictly limited. In Illinois, the law concerning 'strip searches' states in part that law enforcement need written permission of the Commanding Officer or their agent.

In this case, the search was conducted under 'School Policy'. School Policy is generally set by the District's School Board. Policy generally is in line with local, State and Federal law. More and more schools are setting policy that involve the safety of students and staff. These include but are not limited to 'Lock Down drills', routine locker searches and metal detectors at entry doors. Most schools also have Zero-Tolerance policy on weapons and drugs.

What is to be determined in this case is whether or not the School violated a minor students civil rights by conducting a strip search in the manner in which it occurred. Attempts to view this Districts 'School Policy' were unsuccessful (Error message said 'the content had been removed, contact site Administrator').

It is alleged that a student accused said student of giving prescription ibuprofen to others. Based on that, said student was taken into an office and questioned about the pill. Student denied knowledge of the pill and consented to a search of her backpack/locker. When no evidence was found, student was taken to school nurse by female school official and strip searched. No additional pills were found. At no time (before, during or after) was the parent and/or Law Enforcement called or informed of this event by school officials.

I'm sure that I am not alone when I say that, while I understand the need for 'school policy' and maintaining student and staff safety this incident went to far. Mistakes were made, first and foremost the parent should of been notified BEFORE a 'Strip search' was conducted. And local Law Enforcement should also have been involved. Reasonable cause was not evident.

If you have children in school, you need to know exactly what your District policy is. If it permits 'strip searches' what are the guidelines governing such a search. Who is notified and when? Who is present during the search? Who will conduct the search? Under what circumstances would a 'strip search' be considered?

If you have an issue with anything you find within that policy, you have a right to bring that before the School Board. Start with calling and requesting an appointment during the next School Board meeting. Be prepared to explain exactly what you are questioning and why. If your questions are not answered, request an official hearing. Research what you are questioning and know what your talking about. Present a calm and clearly thought out case.

As a parent I have given my children permission to not 'blindly' follow teacher/school official instructions. If at anytime they feel uncomfortable with what they are told they have to do, they can simply cay "No and if you have a problem with that call my Mom". My first concern is for my childs safety, period. We teach are children about 'stranger danger' and 'good touch, bad touch', extend this to everyone your child comes in contact with. Teachers and school officials are just of capable of being predators as anyone else.