Yet again, the disturbing idea of allowing locker searches and drug-sniffing dogs in our public schools is being considered by the Board of Education. Desperate times call for desperate measures — but this isn't one of them.

The current policy allows school officials to search lockers "when the health or safety of a person or persons would be endangered if a search or seizure is not carried out."

But state Attorney General Mark Bennett is calling for more — much more. In a report by Advertiser writer Loren Moreno, Bennett's office recommended draconian measures such as allowing school officials to search lockers "with or without reason or cause," as well as allowing drug-sniffing dogs on campus.

The BOE wisely declined to consider the unwarranted locker searches, but is now contemplating the use of the canines.

What's unclear is the reason for such searches. Officials say that the proposed changes were "not prompted by an increase in contraband items seized at schools."

According to Karen Knudsen, chairwoman of the BOE, the change in policy came up as the board was looking to update its rules on discipline. Adjusting outdated policies to address current problems is fine, but creating extreme solutions for problems that don't quite exist is another.

Indeed, the growing use of drugs is a statewide concern that must be dealt with on numerous fronts: from drug prevention programs to safety and personal responsibility lessons taught both at school and at home. Drug-sniffing dogs should be a last resort.

Taking that course also could send the wrong message to our children: that they cannot be trusted, and that their rights are few when they enter school.

In the pursuit of school safety, the BOE must tread carefully before it embarks on measures that go too far, too fast — and for no good reason.