Diane Lee
Staff Writer
The Manhattan Beach Unified School District school board authorized drug sniffing dogs to search Mira Costa High School’s classrooms on Dec. 8. The board hopes that these dogs will discourage students from bringing drugs to school.
The plan was first developed by PACE adviser Rocky Wilson when he realized that Mira Costa is one of the two schools with drug dogs that did not permit classroom searches. He presented his idea to Principal Ben Dale during a meeting in October.
“My initial response was surprised and impressed, because it is rare that a community will support such a bold move. I believe the community support speaks to the commitment and partnership between Manhattan Beach and Mira Costa, helping to ensure a drug free environment,” Dale said.
He then introduced this plan to the school board who unanimously voted to authorize it.
The program is planned to begin some time in spring. Random classrooms will be chosen and students will stay outside of the classrooms while the dogs search.
Wilson works with a company called Interquest, who will be providing the dogs. The dogs that have been at the school so far have been Manhattan Beach Police Department’s dogs.
“If a student will think twice about bringing illegal substances on campus, the plan has worked,” Dale said.
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