In a 6-2 vote on Wednesday, the Lafayette Parish School Board approved additional bag restrictions.
KATC spoke with several teachers who said they are worried about enforcement of the restrictions.
"If we're constantly having to police their bodies and what they wear and what they have on them, that can interfere with building a relationship with a student and it puts the teacher in an awkward situation too. I would never want to. I would never want to battle willful disobedience to my children,” an LPSS teacher said.
A parent attending the meeting said the board is imposing too many restrictions and they should focus on other issues like bullying.
"If you look at the history with all of these mass shootings. There’s some kind of bullying element. There is a social emotion imbalance there that isn’t addressed. So I would really like for you to view that stuff before trying to bring things upon parents that are almost at a breaking point," a parent said.
One parent suggested placing a metal detector at schools instead of requiring clear lunch boxes.
Board members said any student who needs to bring a bag with equipment or clothing for after school activities may do so, but they must bring it to the designated (band room, locker room, etc.) immediately upon arrival on campus.
Below is a list of suggestions and requirements made by LPSS:
- Elementary: Mesh or clear backpacks are encouraged for the 2022-23 school year. Mesh or clear backpacks will be required in the 2023-24 school year.
- Middle and High: Students may only bring clear or mesh backpacks.
- All grades: Purses/Handbags/Lunch Bags must be clear and no larger than 12”x 12”x6”. One small cosmetic size bag up to 5.5” by 7.5” is allowed for privacy.
- Lunch bags that are not clear must be approximately 9”x6”x5”.
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