07-02-2025
Gwinnett County Schools clear backpack trial run ending Friday
Friday marks the end of Gwinnett County Public Schools' clear backpack pilot program.
Selected schools across the state's largest school district have been requiring students to use clear backpacks for the last several weeks.
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The program ran in middle schools and high schools throughout January. It started mid-January in elementary schools and concludes on Friday.
Every student required to use the clear backpack was given one by the district.
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When the district began discussing implementing a clear bag policy in September, they sent a survey out to parents dated Sept. 30. However, records obtained by Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson showed that the district spent $1.3 million on clear backpacks on Sept. 24 and 25, before the survey even went out to parents.
The results of that survey showed that parents were divided. According to the results, 49% support it but 51% oppose it.
Discussions surrounding clear backpack policies in several school districts began after four people were killed and nine more were shot inside Apalachee High School in Barrow County in early September.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith says the accused shooter, 14-year-old Colt Gray, was able to sneak a gun into the school using his backpack.
It's unclear how district officials plan to measure the success of the pilot program or if the clear backpack policy will be reinstated.
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