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Parents and students push back on proposed backpack procedure tied to device ban
Summary
A parent and multiple student voices at the Jamesville‑DeWitt meeting said a proposed school procedure to ban backpacks during class time was not part of district surveys and is unnecessary; administrators responded the backpack measure is an implementation procedure (not board policy) intended to ensure electronic devices go into lockers or pouches for safety reasons.
A public commenter and a group of students expressed sharp opposition Aug. 25 to a proposed school procedure that would prohibit wearing backpacks during the school day as part of implementing the state ban on internet‑enabled devices. Parent Mark Peterson said the backpack restriction was not required by state law and was not mentioned in prior district engagement efforts; he told the board he would "likely to tell my children that this is a strictly voluntary request from the school, and they do not have to follow this policy."
Students who responded to an Instagram poll presented at the meeting overwhelmingly opposed the change. One student read aloud: "It is treating us like we're children." The administration said the backpack element is a building‑level procedure (not part of the board policy itself) intended to ensure that devices and other contraband such as vapes or weapons are stored in pouches or lockers; administrators said they will try options such as locking pouches and will monitor the implementation, noting they do not plan daily searches of backpacks. The board and administration discussed logistics and alternatives, and administrators said they will observe the first weeks to judge what adjustments are needed.
Why it matters: The disagreement highlights the operational challenge of implementing a statewide device restriction at the building level, balancing student routines and classroom time against staff concerns about contraband and enforcement.
