Concerns over the balance between specifics and flexibility led the Chadron school board Monday night to table revisions to the school district policy on searches in schools.

The proposed language says the district “strives to balance each student’s right to privacy with the need to maintain an appropriate learning environment,” warns students not to expect privacy, and lists “computing facilities and devices, vehicles, lockers, personal items, etc” as open for searches.

Patron and parent Andy Spenser, the only member of the general public to attend the board meeting, told the board that the wording was too vague and didn’t spell out who can order searches, how they’re carried out, or where they may occur.

Spenser questioned whether student vehicles parked at the high school but on the street would be open to searches, if cell phones or private computers brought on campus could be searched, and whether threatening or even just derogatory remarks posted on line from home would fall under the search policy.

That led to a broader discussion about comments made via social media and whether other district policies on the use of the school-issued laptops apply to the student’s open computers and similar devices.

Several board members shared some of Spenser’s concerns and decided to send the proposed policy back to committee to deal with the issues that had been raised.