MONTREAL -- The lawyer representing the family of a 15-year-old girl who was strip-searched at a Quebec City high school says they intend to take the school board to court.

Lawyer Francois David Bernier says the high school misinterpreted government guidelines on searching students and went too far by strip-searching his client last week.

The incident sparked outrage across the province after the girl told a local paper she felt violated by the search, which was conducted after school officials suspected her of selling drugs.

The school board says officials followed government regulations when it conducted the search, but Bernier says his reading of the directives is that strip-searches are only permitted if the student is suspected of having weapons.

Bernier says he is still evaluating the damages and has not officially filed any documents in court.

He added that the family is considering seeking punitive damages against the school and the Quebec City school board.