Clayton County superintendent discusses clear backpack decision, school safety

Students are heading back to school in Clayton County in just a few weeks and they will only be allowed to carry clear backpacks.

More than 100 weapons were found on school property last year throughout the district.

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“We will provide clear bookbags to all of our students to help them carry their books. Hopefully this will provide schools an easier way to access whether or not students have inappropriate items in their bookbags,” Clayton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Morcease Beasley said.

Beasley discussed the decision behind the clear backpack policy during a back to school meeting on Wednesday.

Beasley said clear backpacks are to keep students and staff safe, but they also have safety plans at every school.

“Clearly we have to in light of what we’re hearing coming out of Texas. We’ve got to remind everyone the importance of safety, propping doors open and ensuring that all of us are vigilant so that will be apart for the conversation as staff returns,” Beasley said.

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Beasley told Channel 2 that body scanners will soon make their way to all Clayton County secondary schools this year. This is to ensure students aren’t bringing guns to campus.

“We are in the process of hiring additional SRO’s for our secondary schools and campus supervisors who will help us man the new body scanners that will have at all secondary schools,” he said.

Channel 2 Action News is in touch with the district and will report on any other safety changes that parents and students could see.

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