Seneca Valley Officials, Jackson Police Conduct Routine Drug Search at Intermediate High School

Students at the Seneca Valley Intermediate High School were placed in an internal lockdown for about an hour during class time Tuesday morning as part of a routine drug search of the school.

Jackson Township Police Chief Terry Seilhamer said his department’s K-9 unit, along with K-9s from neighboring stations, searched areas in the school commonly used by students, including hallways with lockers and near classrooms.

“Basically, the school is conducting an administrative procedure,” he said. “If a dog does hit on a locker, they deal with it administratively at the school and then hand it over to police.”

District spokeswoman Linda Andreassi said Seneca Valley has been conducting the drills at the intermediate and senior high school several times year for the last decade as part of the district's drug testing policies.

The students are not informed the random drug searches will take place until the morning it happens. The students are told to stay in their classrooms until the dogs are finished with their work, she said.

“When we have the drill, we do initiate a lock down,” Andreassi said. “The drill is part of the district’s procedure for safety and security.”

Andreassi said there were no findings during Tuesday morning’s search, which took place between 8 and 9 a.m.

Parents who have questions about the searches may contact the district or their student’s building by calling 724-452-6040.