My question involves education law in the State of: Arkansas
I am asking these questions to determine whether I should seek the help of a lawyer for my son. My son is 18 and will be 19 in August. He is a senior this year with a 3.2 overall GPA. He has received a full scholarship based on his ACT scores alone. With that said, I know he is no angel. He has been in trouble but it has all been small infractions (ie. smart remarks to principle, tardy between classes, etc). I feel his lack of respect for the principle is warranted although I havent let him know this. He does have one major problem. The priciple has had something against my son since the 7th grade based on the friends he keeps. Again, I know my son is no angel but overall I feel he is a good person. I felt like a little history is necessary.
Is it legal for the principle to search my son's vehicle with no-one present? I understand that I signed the school policy which allows a vehicle to be searched but I am concerned that the princples honesty has been in question for quite some time. Shouldn't someone, anyone (maybe a police offficer) be present while the search is being conducted? The entire story that I was given by another parent was as follows. Johnny (my son's friend) was approached by the principle (because principle noticed Johnny saw him in his vehicle) and instructed Johnny that he best keep things to himself and that he was also going to search my son's vehicle. Nothing bad was found as I imagined but I am still concerned.
Can myself or my son be held liable for truancy laws? My son is 18 and planning to attend college. He works part time. He recently moved out of my home, not because of ill feelings, but instead because of a girl. I am not overly thrilled with this but I dont feel I can do anything about it. He has missed 6 days this semester. I just found out today, through a letter from the principle indicating that if my son misses three more days he will send a request to the state prosecuting attorney to have me brought under charges. If I understand correctly, under Arkansas Code 6-18-201, children must attend between the age of 5 and 17. My son has no intention of dropping out of school and has promised me he will not miss any more days but I would still like to know what I could be up against.
Thank you,
Stovebolter

