Clayton County Schools is hoping to require its students to use clear book bags at school starting in the fall.
A recent AJC investigation revealed that Clayton County Schools confiscated nearly 100 weapons on school grounds, or on school buses, this academic year alone.
The topic of clear book bags, and who will pay for them, was discussed at a Clayton school board work session last week.
Clayton County Superintendent, Morcease Beasley, originally stated that he thought parents should be required to buy the book bags for their kids. However, Jessie Goree, Clayton’s school board chair, insisted that there was enough money in the budget for the district to purchase a quality clear book bag for each student.
Beasley ultimately agreed that the district would purchase the bags, if that’s what the school board decided.
This is not the first step Beasley has taken to keep weapons out of Clayton County's school buildings. In April, he abruptly announced that middle and high school students would no longer be allowed to carry book bags, or use their lockers, for the rest of the school year.
In addition to requiring clear book bags, the district also wants to purchase metal detectors and a concealed weapons detection device for each school, in preparation for the new year.