Dallas ISD may require students to use clear backpacks

DALLAS - Dallas ISD sent a survey to parents on Tuesday asking their thoughts about requiring clear backpacks for students.

The district's new superintendent will also have to decide whether it will be required for all students or just some of them.

Dallas ISD Spokeswoman Robin Harris said parents in the district will get a bulletin Tuesday about the proposed backpack rule. There will be a series of opportunities for parents to give their feedback on the idea.

The new guidelines were posted online accidentally and then removed from the district's website Monday.

Schools across the state are looking at best practices when it comes to school security in the wake of the mass shooting at a Uvalde elementary school in May.

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Harris said this is something the district has been considering for a while, even before the Uvalde shooting. It was already a recommendation from a school safety task force that included community members.

The new policy would require clear backpacks, not mesh, across all schools. But inside the clear backpacks, students will be allowed to carry non-clear small makeup or pencil pouches.

The new school year starts next month, but parents right now are focused on keeping their kids cool at splashpads and active during the summer. 

Soon, the mindset will shift to back-to-school shopping at a time when Dallas ISD is considering making clear bookbags mandatory. 

Parent Kari Poulson took the survey Dallas ISD posted Tuesday morning and initially thought it was not a good idea. 

"The more I thought about it, it could help. Anything could help," she said. "I am happy to do the clear backpacks if that’s what they are pushing for."

The decision to require clear backpacks is solely up to the superintendent — based on a recommendation from a school safety task force. 

"We need to advocate for safety. Backpacks are a start," said Dallas ISD Trustee Maxie Johnson. "It’s not the answer, but it’s a start for safety."

There are multiple scenarios. The superintendent could make it district wide or just focus on students at certain grade levels. 

"It makes the most sense to do just high school or middle school, but you never know," Poulson said.

Then comes the question about costs, especially since some parents have multiple children in the district. 

Johnson and other trustees said they will make sure parents can get clear bookbags for free. 

"As for as the school board trustee in District 5, I am going to do whatever i can if that policy passes to make sure any kind in my district, parents have what they need concerning backpacks," Johnson said.

There are already some schools in the district like Woodrow Wilson High School that require clear or mesh backpacks.

They are also required for entry to sporting events.

According to the deleted guideline that was posted online, the district his already purchased some clear backpacks that it will distribute to students before the beginning of the school year.

The policy is not something that will be decided by the school board. Instead, it would be something the superintendent, along with district administration, would decide.

The decision could be made as early as this month.