Pubdate: Tue, 17 Mar 2015
Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.montrealgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274
Author: Sidhartha Banerjee
Page: A7

TEEN IN STRIP SEARCH CASE CAN'T RETURN TO SCHOOL

A teen girl who was strip-searched at a Quebec City high school in a
highly publicized case has lost her bid to return to the same
institution.

The family's lawyer had sought an injunction, challenging the
suspension and allowing her to return to the Neufchatel High School,
which had suspended her last month.

Family lawyer Francois- David Bernier said Quebec Superior Court
Justice Bernard Godbout rejected the request Monday.

Bernier had argued an urgent need for the 15- year-old girl to return
to her old school to save her school year. The school had countered
with a spot in a school for students with learning
difficulties.

The Capitale school board said in a statement they were very satisfied
with the ruling.

"Justice Godbout emphasizes that the transfer of the student in
another facility to complete the school year is in her best interest,"
the school board said. "The school board quickly put in place the
necessary arrangements to support the student in the pursuit of their
academic progress and success."

Bernier said in a phone interview late Monday that the girl and her
family are disappointed, but will drop the injunction request and
abide by the court ruling.

But it's not at all what she wanted, the lawyer said, and the family
is keeping a close watch to ensure she doesn't drop out of school.

"They are, for sure, very disappointed," Bernier said. "We have to
work to be sure she's finishing her school year."

Bernier said other legal challenges are still pending, including a
lawsuit.

The incident last month sparked outrage right across the country after
the girl told a local paper she felt violated by the Feb. 12 search
after officials suspected her of selling drugs.

The local school board says officials followed government regulations
drafted in 2010 when it conducted the search, but the family lawyer
countered the school went too far.

The Quebec City school board defended itself, saying i t followed
guidelines: a student must be searched behind a curtain, the clothes
given to a staff member to look over, and the student must never be
touched or be seen naked by school officials.

The school principal in question said the girl's clothes were searched
and there had been no physical contact. They found no drugs.

Comments by former education minister Yves Bolduc in the legislature
drew the ire of many when he said that a strip search is permitted
under "strict" guidelines and in a "respectful" manner when student
security is at issue.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt