PLANTATION, Fla. – Broward County parents, staff and members of the community participated in an often-heated safety town hall meeting Monday in Plantation hosted by the Broward County School Board and Broward County Public Schools.
Recently, BCPS announced that beginning on Monday, Aug. 21 – the first day of the 2023/24 school year – students will only be allowed to carry clear backpacks and bags (lunch boxes, purses, duffel bags, fanny packs, etc.) on school campuses.
Mesh and colored backpacks will not be permitted, even if they are transparent, according to district officials.
There are a few exceptions including, small non-transparent pouches for personal hygiene items, thermal food containers carried inside clear lunch boxes, school-approved sport-specific carrying cases for athletic equipment, and school-approved instrument-specific carrying cases for band equipment.
Staff, faculty, volunteers and school visitors will be exempt from the rule, according to a FAQ page set up on the BCPS website.
The School Safety Town Hall Meeting began at 6 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. at Plantation High School, 6901 NW 16th St., Plantation.
Watch the full town hall:
Most parents expressed opposition to clear backpacks, citing privacy concerns and concerns about their cost and effectiveness.
“This is a circus, you guys are a part of the show. We are the taxpayers that pay your salary, you work for us!” one parent said in the heated meeting.
A number of students and teachers spoke against clear backpacks as well. Very few spoke in favor.
“I’m certain clear backpacks can provide an extra layer of protection to our students and staff,” one speaker said and was met with a chorus of boos.
Some board members, like Lori Alhadeff and Brenda Fam, expressed opposition to clear backpacks while others, like Gov. Ron DeSantis-appointees Torey Alston and Daniel Foganholi, were noncommittal.
A workshop is scheduled for next Tuesday while a final school board vote will be held July 25.