The Gwinnett County School District is considering making clear backpacks mandatory for students in an effort to make schools safer.
The state’s largest district joins others around Georgia, and state lawmakers, as they explore ways to bolster school safety after authorities say a student shot and killed four people at Apalachee High School in Barrow County last month.
Credit: Christina Matacotta
Credit: Christina Matacotta
If implemented, the requirement would go into effect later this school year. Gwinnett school leaders are asking the community to share their thoughts via a three-question survey by Wednesday.
Here are the details of the policy: The district would provide each student with one “durable clear backpack” for free. Families could purchase their own backpacks that meet the district’s policy. Students could have a non-clear pouch within their backpack, no bigger than 6″ x 9″, to hold personal items like cellphones, money and hygiene items. Students who participate in extracurricular activities like band and athletics will be allowed to carry activity-specific, non-clear bags. Staff and visitors, though, will not be subject to the clear bag policy during this school year. Families would need to purchase their own backpacks after this school year if the policy continues.
“We understand that a clear backpack policy alone does not ensure complete security,” read a statement from the district. “This proactive measure is just one of several updates that GCPS is considering to enhance student and campus safety.”
The survey asks respondents to say whether they support the clear bag policy or not, whether they have any additional comments and to identify themselves as parents, staff members, students or otherwise.
Clayton and Rockdale counties in the metro Atlanta area already have clear backpack policies.
In Barrow County, district officials are seeking input about safety measures like a clear bag policy or metal detectors after the Apalachee High shooting.
After school shootings, it’s not uncommon for school systems to implement clear bag policies. But experts say that there’s no evidence that clear bag policies improve school safety. Some experts say such policies create a difficult balance between transparency and privacy.
At the state level, Republican lawmakers are planning to tackle school safety during the 2025 legislative session. State House Speaker John Burns has said he would pursue expanded access to mental health supports and new weapons detection systems for schools. And Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said Tuesday on The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast that he will propose $150 million in the next state budget be allocated to school security measures and that school districts spend those funds accordingly.
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