Town Square

Town Square is an opinion column to which readers can submit their views. As a true community newspaper, we’re always looking for ways to include local thought and pertinent viewpoints. This column is a way to share those thoughts. Civility and fair comment will always prevail.

Dorchester County Public Schools has initiated a policy that requires students to use only clear book bags.

SAFETY FIRST: It’s crazy how many people are upset over new safety policies. Children and teachers are dying. A child took a gun from home and shot his teacher. Do you think they expected that to happen? Doubtful. It is better to be safe than sorry.

ALREADY METAL DETECTORS: They put in a weapons detection system! If anything even looks like it could be a weapon, such as the spiral on a notebook or the rings in a binder, it will go off. Since we have gotten clear backpacks, they barely even check them for weapons if someone goes off. Before the clear backpacks, they would thoroughly go through the backpack, any pencil cases, and the lunchboxes. Since they don’t properly even check the bags, someone could have a weapon wedged between notebooks or in their lunchbox.

FLIMSY: Last school year, students still brought their regular book bags to school. It looks like nothing was done about that. The clear book bags are cheaply made, they will break within the first week to a month. I do understand the reason for them, but they won’t last long. They get torn so easily.

PARENTS’ FAULT: These clear backpacks wouldn’t be necessary if kids didn’t bring stuff to school that they absolutely shouldn’t. That falls on the parent/guardian.

TAX MONEY: My son went through one of those clear backpacks a month. If they want to provide them, that’s all on them. Probably not the best way to spend our tax dollars though.

WASTED DONATIONS?: I feel bad for the places and/or people who donated thousands of dollars or bags that now can’t be used. This is exactly why I wouldn’t donate, as rude as that sounds, but I always thought, “Wait a minute, our county has a clear bag policy.”

CHOICE: Would you rather them cry over a dead classmate?

DOESN’T NEED IT: I’d rather be safe then have a sparkly bookbag.

NOT UNIQUE: The majority of schools in the country are doing this. In Michigan, there’s an entire school district which has banned all backpacks, even clear.

FOOLISH: Lack of common sense here. I understand the reasoning behind them, but kids will conceal things they aren’t supposed to have (clear backpack or not) and there aren’t enough staff members to monitor what’s in these backpacks.

GO PRIVATE: Sounds like to me a lot of you all should consider private school where you can pay for whatever you like.

TOO BAD: Shame it had to come to this!

Town Square - your public forum - is moderated by Dorchester Banner Editor Dave Ryan. Email your comments to dryan@iniusa.org.