Lafayette Parish School Board Decides on New Clear Bag Policy

Parents are talking about this decision.

The Lafayette Parish School Board voted on changes for the upcoming 2022-23 school year and one of the topics was the clear bag policy on campuses.

On Wednesday night the board approved the policy that calls for all purses/handbags and most lunchboxes students may have to be clear on all campuses.

This comes as school districts from around the country are looking for ways to keep campuses safer after the recent mass shootings.

For students who bring their own lunch to school, the school board says lunch boxes that are not clear must be smaller, approximately 9″ by 6″ by 5″.

As you may expect, the reactions to this latest decision by the school board have come with mixed reactions.

I have seen some parents support this new layer of protection on campus, while others have not.

It was also decided at the meeting Wednesday night that purses and handbags at all  Lafayette Parish public schools must also be clear this coming school year.

However, a small cosmetic bag will be allowed on campuses in the parish for privacy use.

As for backpacks, the board is recommending clear or mesh backpacks for elementary students this coming school year.

For the 2023-24 school year, such backpacks will be required on campuses in Lafayette Parish.

I know for students in middle school and high school, clear or mesh backpacks have been required on campuses for quite some time.

We will continue to follow this story as we approach the new school year and give you the latest updates here or via the station's mobile app.