The Jeff Davis Parish School Board is considering a policy that would require students, visitors and other paid guests attending athletic events at schools to carry a clear bag in to the event.

School Board member Summer Lejeune asked the School Board’s policy committee on Tuesday to consider implementing a clear bag policy at all extracurricular school events.

“This is something I think would be necessary to look at, especially because our surrounding parishes have had problems with shootings and large fights,” Lejeune told the American Press. “I think in this day and age, it would be wise to have a policy in place, especially when other parishes are doing this.”

Ville Platte High School, Sulphur High School and Calcasieu Parish have similar policies requiring clear bags of certain sizes so that weapons cannot be bought into events, she said.

“It’s about safety,” Lejeune said. “I’d hate to put this on the back burner then something happens. I’m a proactive person. I want to get ahead of it and not have to react to a shooting. I’d rather get it all in before that, so it prevents that kind of tragedy as much as possible.”

The Policy Committee discussed the matter, but did not take official action.

Superintendent John Hall is reviewing several policies for clear bags, including size the size of the bags and prohibited items like purses, camera bags, duffle bags, gym bags, backpacks, mesh bags and non-clear printed or patterned totes. He is expected to present some suggestions to the board at its regular meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Hall said the schools would need time to inform the public and families would need time to get the bags before any policy is put in place.

Board Members Malon Dobson and Greg Bordelon said the policy should be universal across the parish and with neighboring parishes.

“I think it needs to be uniformed and try to watch what Calcasieu and other parishes do so that people don’t have to go out and buy a separate bag to go to a different game,” Bordelon said.

Hall said the policy needs to be standard to include the size of the bags. He said signs would need to be posted in gyms and at football stadiums informing students and visitors of the clear bag requirements.

“I agree that this needs to be parishwide with everything the same,” Hall said, noting that some parishes have different policies for each school. “For us, if we are going to do it, I’d say do it all the way around. The policies are for those entering the game as paid guests, it’s not to handicap or give a disadvantage to the students who are in our schools.”

All visiting teams would have be made aware of the clear bag policy and students not affiliated with the teams would be required to have a clear bag. Those representing the schools would likely be allowed to have gear bags, including band instruments and cases.

“If they are coming in to pay and they are coming in through the gate, they are a guest,” Hall said.

Hall cautioned that certain laws will not allow students to be checked without a reasonable suspicion, but said students give up that right when they are paid guests.

Board member Charles Bruchhaus said the board should trust incoming schools to “police” their students when attending events.

Board member Greg Patterson voiced concerns about students who stay after school to attend sporting events and are on the field with backpacks or sports bags issued by their teams.

“Are we going to allow them to stay with the bag or are they going to have to put that bag up somewhere else because all the fans coming in have to have a clear bag,” he asked.

Lejeune said athletes should be held the same standard as other students and fans entering the stadiums and gyms for games.

She said it would be the responsibility of students, visitors and others attending extracurricular events to have the clear bags.

“It would put the responsibility on them,” she said. :If they want to be there, then they need to have a clear bag or don’t be there.”

Lejeune said she has received feedback from parents who think a clear bag policy would be a good safety measure.

“Most people think it is a good idea, but I have had some that are concerned about diaper bags for those with young kids,” she said.

Lejeune would like to see the policy in place this school year.