The Bedford School Board voted unanimously to approve K-9 drug searches in the town’s high school Monday night.Click to watch News 9's coverageBedford High School will join other schools in the region, allowing drug-sniffing dogs in the school.The police chief, principal and school superintendent all supported the first-time move.“We think that this is one good tool in the toolbox,” said Superintendent Chip McGee. “And we'd like -- since it hasn't happened before -- we'd like the board's permission to move forward.”As part of the school district's substance abuse plan, the arrival of the K-9 drug detection unit would be unannounced.Students would stay in certain areas while dogs swept the school in about an hour.It's designed mainly as a deterrent; the school board cited a survey where most students, parents and teachers welcome the K-9s.“It isn't about a ‘gotcha.’ It really is about trying to keep illegal substances out of our school and off our school campus,” said Principal Bill Hagen. “It's just another deterrent, a way of keeping drugs off the school campus,” said board member Philip Schappler.“Bedford's always tried to be proactive, not reactive. You know, we want to try to hit a situation before it happens,” said board member Cindy Chagnon.The school board said police would consider the K-9 searches a training exercise; there would be no cost to the taxpayers.

The Bedford School Board voted unanimously to approve K-9 drug searches in the town’s high school Monday night.

Click to watch News 9's coverage


Bedford High School will join other schools in the region, allowing drug-sniffing dogs in the school.

The police chief, principal and school superintendent all supported the first-time move.

“We think that this is one good tool in the toolbox,” said Superintendent Chip McGee. “And we'd like -- since it hasn't happened before -- we'd like the board's permission to move forward.”

As part of the school district's substance abuse plan, the arrival of the K-9 drug detection unit would be unannounced.

Students would stay in certain areas while dogs swept the school in about an hour.

It's designed mainly as a deterrent; the school board cited a survey where most students, parents and teachers welcome the K-9s.

“It isn't about a ‘gotcha.’ It really is about trying to keep illegal substances out of our school and off our school campus,” said Principal Bill Hagen.

“It's just another deterrent, a way of keeping drugs off the school campus,” said board member Philip Schappler.

“Bedford's always tried to be proactive, not reactive. You know, we want to try to hit a situation before it happens,” said board member Cindy Chagnon.

The school board said police would consider the K-9 searches a training exercise; there would be no cost to the taxpayers.



