In the wake of school shootings and similar tragedies, many school districts across the country now offer hotline services where students can submit anonymous tips through an app, and a crisis center evaluates these concerns for bullying, suicidal ideations, or other potential violence. These technological advances come with many benefits for children and parents, but they also present some interesting legal issues for school boards and administrators.  For example, can a principal search a student's backpack based on an anonymous tip? What other obligations do school districts have in responding to tips sent to a third-party crisis center?  Attorney Peter Zawadski joins Lisa and Miriam in exploring the Fourth Amendment and its legal implications for school districts that use anonymous reporting apps.

Miriam, Lisa, and Peter practice education law at Walter Haverfield in Cleveland, Ohio. We love hearing from you, so drop us a line about what you enjoyed listening to and what topics you'd like to hear more about in future episodes.

Check us out at:

https://www.walterhav.com/professionals/Pete-T-Zawadski

https://www.walterhav.com/professionals/Lisa-Woloszynek

https://www.walterhav.com/professionals/Miriam-M-Pearlmutter