In response to the shooting in Uvalde, the Harper ISD officials implemented a clear backpack/lunchbox policy beginning with the 2022/2023 school year.

While we appreciate the District's continued efforts to maintain a safe environment for both students and staff, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the clear backpack policy is not a sustainable policy.  Furthermore, the increasingly extreme measures being enacted by the school district have the potential to do more harm than good to the development of the the students.

As stated in a 2018 publication by Fisher BW, Mowen TJ and Boman JH 4th entitled "School Security Measures and Longitudinal Trends in Adolescents' Experiences of Victimization", "In regard to the role of school security and developmental outcomes, research has shown that the use of some forms of security can contribute to decreases in academic performance (Tanner-Smith and Fisher 2016), decrease civic engagement later on in life (Kupchik and Catlaw 2015), and increase stress for children and adolescents (Kupchik 2016). In addition, Bracy (2011) found that the use of school security and strict discipline often resulted in feelings of powerlessness among students, and also contributed to increased levels of frustration and anger. Likewise, McEvoy and Welker (2000) highlight that the use of school security can erode the school climate and decrease bonds between school officials and students, thus promoting antisocial behavior."

Along with the developmental concerns for the students, there is also the added burden to the families to adhere to the new policy.  There have been numerous reports of the backpacks tearing apart after just a couple of weeks' use, and not all families can bear the added expense of replacing them, much less purchasing new clear lunchboxes.

Additionally, it has been noted that staff do not appear to be subject to the same policy; as they have been seen carrying regular purses/bags into the school.  This will only further the decreased bonds between staff and students as mentioned above.

We request that Harper ISD listen to reason and the cries of the parents, students and community and remove the requirement at once.