Duncanville ISD follows regional trend with clear backpack policy

Duncanville, Texas - In a move to improve safety for students and staff, a North Texas school district is progressing towards the adoption of clear or mesh backpacks for the upcoming school year.

This change aligns with security measures recently adopted by the Mesquite and Dallas Independent School Districts (ISDs), indicative of an increasing regional focus on school safety.

Starting the fall semester, Duncanville Independent School District is advising students from kindergarten through 12th grade to use transparent or mesh backpacks. This guidance is an introductory measure, designed to acquaint students and parents with the forthcoming policy and provide sufficient transition time.

The district will fully enforce the clear and mesh backpack requirement by the Spring Semester. The phased approach aims to minimize disruptions and grant stakeholders adequate preparation time.

Understanding students' personal requirements, the district will permit a small non-transparent pouch inside backpacks for items such as money, cellphones, and hygiene essentials. Nonetheless, items in non-clear bags, like purses, athletic bags, and instrument cases, will be inspected in line with the district's security guidelines.

The district has noted that while clear bags may not deter all unauthorized items from being brought into schools, or address every safety issue, the rule “is part of a broader approach to enhance student and staff safety.”

This policy introduction coincides with a period where numerous North Texas school districts face challenges in employing enough security personnel to satisfy new state safety regulations, leading many to engage private security firms.

Credit: Dallas Metro News