BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. — A school district in western Arizona is banning backpacks and forcing students to lock up cellphones during the upcoming school year.
The Bullhead City School District recently announced that junior high students will not be allowed to utilize backpacks while on campus when the school year starts on July 29. Students at the younger grade levels (fourth and below) can still use backpacks.
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Because backpacks can be used to conceal weapons and contraband, the district felt it necessary to prohibit some students from using them.
The school district said there's not much of a need for junior high students to use backpacks since students no longer need to take home textbooks.
To further limit distractions and improve safety, the school district is also requiring student cellphones to be turned off and locked away in a cabinet while on campus.
“Parents and the governing board have made it clear that classroom distractions and disruptions at the expense of improving education are unacceptable,” Superintendent Carolyn Stewart said in a statement.
BCSD is one several districts throughout Arizona to implement cellphone restrictions during the school day.
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