Rockdale County Schools should permit students to carry opaque water bottles. It is unfair and harmful to punish all students because of a single incident. Many water fountains in the school are unsanitary, poorly maintained, or taste heavily unfiltered, and there are limited access points to clean drinking water throughout the building. The school does not consistently provide free, clean drinking water to students.

Requiring students to purchase a $2 clear plastic water bottle every day is unreasonable and creates a financial burden. Not all students have the ability to pay for bottled water daily. If a student cannot afford one, will RCPS ensure they are provided with free access to clean drinking water? Water dispensers around school, bottle checks during Open Gate, clean, filtered, sanitary water fountains are all solutions.

This petition will be taken to the Board of Education general meetings on March 12th and 19th.