SAN ANTONIO – Middle school and high school students in the North East Independent School District won’t be required to use clear backpacks next school year.
NEISD Superintendent Sean Maika made the announcement on Thursday in a video message to parents.
Recommended Videos
The clear backpack policy went into effect in 2018 to help improve school safety, but parents have since complained that the backpacks aren’t durable and need to be replaced often.
“We heard your frustrations about the durability of the clear backpacks and will continue to listen to your concerns and ideas. Beginning next school year, students can return to traditional backpacks and bags on campus,” Maika.
The superintendent said clear backpacks were just one part of an overall school safety strategy.
“Since then, our safety and security measures have greatly improved,” Maisa said.
Maika outlined the following safety measures in effect at NEISD schools:
- Exterior doors are locked on every campus during school hours
- Visitors cannot enter schools without being acknowledged first on a camera system and buzzed in
- Most campuses have secure entry vestibules
- Middle schools and high schools have perimeter fencing with locked gates
- NEISD officers are stationed at secondary schools
“Our District has also placed greater importance on preventative safety measures by focusing on reporting security concerns and addressing mental wellness,” Maika said.
Maika said the schools have increased counseling support. added a tip line and hired a company that monitors social media posts for threats.
Maika said the clear bag policy for events will remain.
Watch the superintendent’s full message below: