Backpacks banned by Michigan school district for safety, weapon concerns: 'Difficult decision'
A school district in Flint, Michigan, has banned students from carrying backpacks inside its schools due to weapon concerns after a threat was made against one of its schools last month.
Flint Community Schools Superintendent Kevelin Jones announced the ban last week in a letter to families on the school district's website, calling it a "difficult decision." The ban, which started on Monday, will be in place for the rest of the school year.
The ban comes after a school in its district, Southwestern Classical Academy, received threats against its students and staff April 19. The school was placed on lockdown and the district canceled classes the next day.
“We apologize for any inconvenience that this policy will have on our scholars and families,” Jones said in the letter. “But when it comes to the safety of our school community, we will not take any chances.”
There have been 127 incidents this year in which a firearm was fired or pointed at someone on the grounds of a K-12 school or when a bullet hit school property, according to the national K-12 School Shooting Database.
Why do mass shooters target schools? Here's what we know after Nashville shooting
Superintendent: Backpacks make it easier to hide weapons
Students are allowed to bring small purses with personal items inside, including hygiene products, wallets, keys and phones. They can also bring clear plastic bags for their gym clothes, and lunch boxes are allowed. All bags will be searched.
Jones said students who bring backpacks to school will be sent to the office and will need to call a parent or guardian to pick up their belongings.
He said backpacks “make it easier for students to hide weapons,” and that clear backpacks do not fix the issue. The school district said weapons can still easily be hidden clear backpacks.
“By banning backpacks altogether and adding an increased security presence across the district, we can better control what is being brought into our buildings,” he said.
The Flint Board of Education, the district’s administration and principals all approved the new policy.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Flint, Michigan, school district bans backpacks for safety concerns
