MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The Baldwin County School District has made a change in its book bag policy for elementary students following a second incident in recent weeks of a child bringing a handgun to school. 

Students in grades K-5 are now required to have a book bag that is either clear or mesh at least through the remainder of the school year. The previous policy stated nothing about the color or appearance of a book bag for elementary students, only that bags could not have wheels unless the student possessed a doctor’s excuse and signed permission slip from the school principal and superintendent. The new policy for the elementary schools mandating that bags must be clear or mesh was put into effect Monday, but the school district is allowing families a little time to obtain a new book bag for their children.

“Since this is short notice for our elementary families, students will be allowed to bring their regular backpacks for the remainder of this week; however, if a student brings their school supplies in a regular backpack, it will be searched by school personnel,” said Baldwin County Schools Superintendent Dr. Noris Price in a statement released late Monday morning. “We are asking parents to check their children’s backpacks each morning to make sure only school supplies and books are transported to school. After the Thanksgiving break, students must have a clear or mesh backpack. This step will enhance our security measures that are already in place and help ensure the safety of our students and staff.”

The clear or mesh backpack rule is already enforced at the middle and high school, and after Thanksgiving break will be fully in place at all levels of Baldwin County Schools. 

The change is in response to a couple of incidents, the most recent of which happened Friday at Lakeview Academy when a third grade student brought a loaded Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistol to school and it discharged inside a classroom. In late October, a fifth grade student at Midway Hills Academy also brought a handgun to school in a backpack, although it was not loaded. 

No students, teachers or staff were injured in either of the incidents.

Price said in her statement that changes in policy are a possibility as the school district works to ensure that every student has a safe learning environment.

“We will be meeting with law enforcement agencies in the next few days to identify additional security measures,” she said. “We will keep our stakeholders informed of these changes as they transpire.”

Communities in Schools of Milledgeville-Baldwin County, along with community volunteers and organizations, are working to put together a book bag drive to help families who do not have the means to buy a new one on such short notice. Additional details on the book bag drive will be forthcoming.