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Parent urges board to rescind tentative backpack ban, cites accessibility and fairness concerns
Summary
A parent told the board the proposed removal of backpacks and large totes is an overreach that will not stop phone misuse, may harm students with ADHD or medical needs, and suggested alternatives such as size limits or locker use; the superintendent said the rule was a building-level decision he supported but that he would review parent suggestions with administrators.
Kayla Sineke, a parent, addressed the board during the public-comment period to oppose a tentative rule that would eliminate backpacks and large totes for students. "I have spent significant time processing why I'm so passionately offended by this rule," she said, calling the measure an overreach that punishes all students rather than addressing phone misuse or excessive weight directly.
Sineke said the rule would not prevent phones from being brought into class and would create hardship for students with ADHD or those who need to carry medical equipment. She urged alternatives such as limiting the size of bags to typical day-use backpacks or encouraging locker use rather than an outright ban. "Eliminating backpacks doesn't eliminate phone use, it only makes compliance harder to monitor fairly," she said.
Superintendent Sorticio later told Sineke he would review her suggestions with building administrators and noted that the backpack restriction was a building-level decision he had supported; he said he would follow up directly after further review.
Sineke asked the board to rescind the rule immediately and promised to remain engaged in future meetings.
