The bag policy previously in place due to safety concerns, has been changed after district officials decided the policy was no longer needed.

The policy stated until recently that no bag that was large enough to carry a book was allowed to be taken to class. Principal Tobie Waldeck says the board decision came about after talks about the policy with both students and parents.

“More attention was brought to the policy when I started enforcing it,” Waldeck said. “That sparked a lot of conversations both here and at the board office, and then the board’s decision was made.”

Now with the policy removed, students are allowed to carry a bag, up to the size of a backpack, in order to make the trip from classes and around the school easier. Junior Rachel Sackett says that being allowed to carry a bag has made the transition from class to class a little more timely.

“I have classes right next to each other and it would be a waste of my time to walk back,” Sackett said. “The change in policy made it a little easier on me.”

Junior Brayton Young also believes that the allowance of bags makes it easier traveling between passing periods.

“At first I didn’t care about the policy,” Young said. “But when I get stressed out it’s nice to have all my stuff with me in class.”

But not all students experienced any differences after the change of enforcement. Senior Sara Brigham says she already met the standards on carrying a bag beforehand.

“I wasn’t really affected by the change,” Brigham said. “I have always carried a bag that was small enough to meet the requirements originally.”

Freshman Kara Lewis shares that though the policy doesn’t affect her, it could be good for the students around her.

“I don’t really care about the change,” Lewis said. “It shouldn’t have ever really been enforced. People should be able to carry [their bags] if they want to, especially with the bigger school.”