When students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida—the site of a deadly school shooting that left 17 dead and sparked nationwide protests—return to school after spring break, they'll be required to wear clear backpacks and have identification on them at all times.
Robert W. Runcie, the superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, said Wednesday that all students at the school would be issued I.D. badges and those without a clear backpack would be provided with one at no cost, the New York Times reported.
"We want to assure you that the safety and security of our students and employees remain our highest priorities," Runcie wrote in a letter to parents. The letter announced new security measures that included updating video surveillance, an increased budget for mental health services and a plan to hire at least one school resource officer for every school in the district.
Runcie also floated the idea of using metal detection wands at school entrances, as well as perhaps installing permanent detectors at doorways.
"While we cannot change the heartbreaking and senseless act of violence at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, by working together, we can change the future," Runcie wrote. "All students deserve safe schools."
Per Runcie, Broward has "expedited" work to complete single point of entry measures for all campuses by the 1st quarter of 2019. (In South Florida high schools, built with open breezeways and many buildings and parking lots, that usually means fencing.)
— Patricia Mazzei (@PatriciaMazzei) March 21, 2018
The media relations department for Broward County Public Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the updated security measures.
The reaction on social media to the clear-backpack rule was mixed, with many saying it was insufficient, especially amid the activist work from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas survivors who have called for increased gun control.
"Great. Because clear backpacks are gonna fix everything," tweeted Marjory Stoneman Douglas student Lauren Hogg. "I appreciate the attempt, but I'd rather have common [sense] gun laws than a clear backpack."
Security concerns at the school have grown at the school after the shooting. The suspected shooter's younger brother was arrested for trespassing on the campus, and two other students were arrested for bringing knives to school.
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