Poll: How Much Authority Should Police Have to Question Students?

Jennifer Blanco, a trustee for the San Bruno Park School District Board, thinks students throughout the city should have more rights.

At the school board's meeting earlier this month, Blanco objected to a board policy that allows police officers to come on school property and question any student without the presence of a parent.

The board was asked to revisit the policy after statewide changes were proposed. No other school board member had a problem with the policy. But Blanco wanted to add language that would require a police officer to make sure a parent was involved when talking to a student about a law enforcement matter. The policy didn't go far enough to ensure students' rights, she said.

At issue was a part of the policy that read:

"Except in cases of child abuse or neglect, the principal or designee shall notify the student's parent/guardian when a law enforcement officer requests and interview of a student on school premises prior to any such interview or questioning."

The board approved the policy without Blanco's addition, saying that her suggestion could potentially hinder a police matter.

What do you think?