Clear backpacks required: Decatur Township schools' new policy

The Decatur Township school district will provide a clear backpack to every student at the beginning of next school year, the district told families in an update on the new security policy.

Decatur Township's school board approved the clear backpack policy in March in an effort to deter anyone from bringing "unsafe and unnecessary items into our schools," the district said.

The school district has seen at least two instances this school year where guns were found on school campuses, once in December at Decatur Central High School and once in January at Decatur Middle School.

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"We understand that clear backpacks are not the 'only' solution to school safety, but is one additional measure to support our district mission," Decatur Township superintendent Matthew Prusiecki said in a letter to families.

Beginning the 2023-24 school year, all Decatur Township K-12 students will have to use a clear, noncolored backpack to bring their homework and textbooks to school. Clear backpacks are optional for pre-kindergarten students.

Families can purchase their own clear backpacks, but the district will provide each student with one at the beginning of the next school year. Any replacements will have to be purchased by the student's family.

There are no size specifications for the clear backpacks, but the bag cannot have any fabric, mesh, wallpaper, stripes or other material that conceals the contents of the backpack.

The backpacks can have mesh side pockets and a mesh organizer inside the front pocket. Students can also carry clear totes, purses and other clear bags.

Students participating in a school sport or other extracurricular activity will be allowed to carry nontransparent bags for items such as athletic or band equipment. Those bags must be stored in a designated area determined by each school.

Students are allowed to carry nontransparent lunch bags or boxes no larger than 10 inches by 7 inches by 4 inches. Students can also carry nontransparent pencil bags or purses no larger than 9 inches by 6 inches.

Students are only permitted to carry two nontransparent bags that fit the above specifications.

The district uses metal detector wands and random canine searches districtwide on a randomly rotating basis and as needed, a district spokesperson told IndyStar.

Decatur has also increased its school police force to seven officers over the past year, the district said in a FAQ to families about the policy.

All Decatur school buildings keep their exterior doors locked during school hours and all visitors must pass through a screening process in order to obtain a visitor's pass.

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The district is still in the process of negotiating backpack prices, but a spokesperson said the bags will be paid for through a mix of donations, community supporters and the district.

Contact IndyStar reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @CarolineB_Indy.

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