Clayton County bans backpacks in middle, high schools due to rising number of weapons

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — A metro Atlanta school district is banning bookbags for the rest of the year due to rising number of weapons.

Clayton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Morcease Beasley announced that middle and high school students will not be allowed to use book bags or lockers for the rest of the school year.

He made this announcement in response to the presence of weapons and hazardous items on school campuses.

“Thank you Clayton County for supporting our actions to mitigate for the impact of the proliferation of guns in our society increasingly impacting our schools. Let’s work together to ensure our schools remain safe and focused on learning. We continue to lead in our response.”

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Beasley also announced the school district is working on installing more metal detectors at its middle and high schools; in addition to the use of metal detecting wands.

Clayton County students should also expect random searchers by school police partnering with local police departments.

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Across the metro area, bag rules vary from district to district.

Fulton County Schools leave the bag policy up to the schools. At a recent school board meeting, Superintendent Mike Looney said he’s also adding campus security for schools that have had problems with fights.

In DeKalb County, guns on school grounds led administrators to make a backpack ban at McNair High School.

Rockdale County Public Schools will require all students to carry transparent backpacks starting next school year.

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