09/29/2007
All the parents and students interviewed outside the high school Friday afternoon said they were not aware of the Dec. 15, 2006, strip-search incident until they read about it on Friday or heard that it was in the newspaper. They also did not know the identity of the student who was searched.
"If it were my daughter, some heads would be rolling," said Rebecca Baker, mother of a Winslow High School student. "I am enraged by this. I pay taxes and I expect my children to be safe. That's something that could scar that girl for life."
News of the search broke when the Maine Civil Liberties Union announced on Thursday that it had worked with administrators at the school to revise their policy on student searches to prohibit staff members from strip-searching students. It was the first public announcement that such an incident occurred.
The search, according to the MCLU, involved a female student being required to remove all her clothing above the waist after school employees suspected she possessed drugs.
School administrators have not released the name or age of the female student, nor will they disclose the gender of the staff member(s) who conducted the search.
Winslow Police Chief Richard A. Grindall said Thursday that he was made aware of the strip-search after the fact, and that police officers were not involved in the search.
Parents on Friday said they welcomed the policy change, but many expressed surprise that such a search ever was allowed in the first place.
Lori Barnard, who has three daughters attending the school, said she was shocked and feels people have a right to know who conducted the strip search.
"That staff member should not be allowed to do that -- or be allowed back in school," she said.
Barnard, who was waiting in her van for her daughters outside school Friday afternoon, wondered aloud why the situation was handled by a school staff member. She also said she is concerned about the secrecy surrounding the case.
"If there were drugs, why weren't police called?" Barnard asked. "And there's a police officer in school. That's why we pay taxes for this police officer. Why wasn't he involved?
"People I work with couldn't believe this even happened. Everyone has a right to know. As a parent, we have a right to know what's going on in school."
Jean Willette, mother of two freshmen at the school, said the school must tread with care when investigating students.
"I think the parents should be notified immediately," she said. "Before they do a strip-search, parents should be present."
John McCutcheon, grandfather of a Winslow High School student, also said he felt the parents should have been present before any search was conducted.
"I'm a little bit touchy about strip-searches on teenagers," he said.
Many students were willing to discuss the incident but declined to give their names, saying they were afraid they might get into trouble.
Others spoke more freely.
"All I know is, an officer didn't strip-search her -- it was a teacher," said junior Brittany Murphy, 16. "I don't think it's right. I think it should have been the police."
Murphy said she learned of the incident when her mother read the Morning Sentinel story aloud to her Friday. She said she thinks more information should be released about it.
As two reporters spoke with parents and students after school Friday, Assistant Principal Terry Atwood approached one, asked who she was and told her to go through the superintendent's office before conducting interviews.
In a later interview, Principal Douglas Carville said no one is allowed to talk to parents or students near school grounds without obtaining permission from the School Union 52 central office.
Sophomores Ashley Tenney and Julie Doyon walked to Dunkin' Donuts on Bay Street after school, stopping to discuss the incident. Both said they think it was wrong for a student to be strip-searched.
"It's, like, an invasion of our bodies," Tenney said.
Joel Elliott -- 861-9252
jelliott@centralmaine.com
Reader comments
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Winslow parents, please, please, don't let them intimadate you...they are really very good at it!!! Inqury! Ask questions! Go to the school unannouced.....that's at start. Good luck to all of the teens at Winslow High and their parents. report abuse
I hate to stereotype, but I doubt somebody suspected of having drugs on their body is applying to MIT or Harvard, money or no money.
This sounds like a poorly handled situation, but generally students aren't sought out like a witch hunt. I'm sure there was reason to believe this individual had drugs on her. I don't agree with the strip search or the cover-up that has taken place since, but more often than not these students into drugs are little punks and don't deserve all the drama and victimization this one is receiving. I wouldn't be surprised if she took off her shirt before anyone asked and then complained she was forced.
There are minimal details on the story at this time. Anything could have happened, we need to remember.
Just my two cents. report abuse
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