Parents press Wythe County board over new high-school backpack procedure; administration cites safety and locker delays
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Summary
Board members raised parent concerns about a new countywide backpack procedure in high schools, citing inconsistent communication and a delayed delivery of lockers; administrators said principals recommended the change for safety (tripping hazards) and that 35 lockers at George Wythe High School were delayed by the manufacturer.
Board members spent significant time on parent concerns about a recent change restricting backpacks in high-school classrooms. Members said parents reported inconsistent messages from building administrators and asked for clearer, written guidelines about exceptions, purse size and how tardy/count policies would be handled.
Dr. Poole and administrators said the change was a safety-driven decision requested by the three high-school principals. "The big why was principals and teachers requesting they can't move throughout the classroom ... it was a safety concern just with a tripping hazard in the classrooms," an administrator said. He added the directive traces to COVID-era changes when lockers were not used and that the principals collectively chose to address the issue.
The superintendent reported a supply delay for lockers at George Wythe High School: "There are 35 lockers that are missing at George Wythe that were ordered months and months ago ... the manufacturer has had a problem, so they were on their way." Principals provided temporary accommodations for the 35 affected seniors; administration said lockers will be installed when delivered.
Board members repeatedly urged clearer district-to-parent communication. One member said parents had received conflicting answers from school staff about whether a student would be counted tardy if they could not get to class because of the locker rule. Administrators agreed to review the issue at the next principals' meeting and recommended adding clear language to the school handbooks to explain exceptions and accommodations.
What it means: The board supported principals' safety rationale but acknowledged a communications breakdown that left parents uncertain; administration will clarify procedures and handbook language and make accommodations for students with financial need.
Next steps: Administration to review communication protocols with principals, refine handbook language, and coordinate locker deliveries and accommodations for students who cannot afford or choose not to purchase lockers.