Milton Area School District restricts the use of backpacks during the school day, according to the dress code found on page 21 of the 2023-24 High School Student Handbook.
“Students may not use backpacks, book bags, athletic bags, drawstring bags or large purses during the school day,” according to the handbook.
According to High School Co-Principal Mr. Andrew Rantz, the policy regarding backpacks has been a rule since around 1999-00. He said that the policy was put in place as a safety precaution, which he thinks was in response to the Columbine shooting in Colorado.
Mr. Rantz said the rule is enforced through reminders given at class meetings; however, other than that, not much needs to be done, as it hasn’t been a major issue.
Mr. Rantz added that the stated policy does not cover everything. For example, what is considered a large purse is not defined in the handbook, he said. If a purse is larger than a full sheet of paper (8.5×11 inches), then the administration considers it to be too large, said Mr. Rantz.
According to Mr. Rantz, the only time an exception to this policy was during the 2020-21 school year when lockers were not in use due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I understand why some people don’t like it or agree with it,” said Mr. Rantz. “At the end of the day, it’s a policy.”
“The locker room is open at 7:30 a.m.,” said Gym Teacher Mr. Nicholas Fisher. He added that students can drop off their clothes and then return to pick them up at the end of the school day.
Mr. Rantz added that he doesn’t foresee anything that would lead to backpacks being allowed, even with the upcoming change to a period schedule.
According to Mr. Rantz, he does not think the period schedule will change any pattern or increase the number of referrals. Since backpack-related referrals would be categorized as “insubordination,” they are not tracked specifically, he explained. He added that the office only deals with issues once or twice a year, with it being a rare occurrence.
While Milton has operated with a no-backpack policy, surrounding districts have different approaches to backpacks. In the Lewisburg Area School District, students can bring “packages, backpacks, briefcases, satchels, rucksacks, sports bags, and duffel bags” to school, according to the Lewisburg High School 2023-24 Student Handbook. The policy includes that any bag the student brings can be searched by the district.
Warrior Run High School also allows backpacks. “…as a convenience for students, backpacks will be permitted to be carried throughout the day at the MS/HS complex,” said the Warrior Run Junior Senior High School Handbook 2023-24.
