To the editor:

I no longer live full-time on Bainbridge Island, but did for a number of years, and we still have a house there. For a time, I had my law office on Bainbridge Island. I continue to follow Bainbridge Island news with interest.

I was astounded to read that administrators at Woodward Middle School administered a pretext “essay” to students. The results were reportedly turned over to the police department for comparison with threats written on bathroom stalls.

The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures. In my opinion, this action by the school’s administrators violated the Fourth Amendment rights of the students. Further, a violation of the Fourth Amendment by government employees could subject the school officials and to a claim for damages for violation of the students’ civil rights.

Noble intentions don’t justify ignoring the rights of individuals. During 25 years as an attorney with the state Office of the Attorney General, I was sometimes called on to defend civil rights claims based on actions taken that violated the freedoms guaranteed to our citizens by the Bill of Rights. The fact that the challenged actions were undertaken to achieve a desired end, such as the identification of a “suspect” provides no immunity to those who commit the violations.

Certainly this investigation can be completed while ensuring that the rights of individuals are observed.

JON FERGUSON

Eagledale/Ellensburg