Michigan School District Is Now Requiring Some Students to Wear Clear Backpacks After Deadly Oxford HS Shooting

As a result of the Oxford High School shooting that left four dead and multiple people injured in November, the Michigan school district will require some students to wear clear backpacks to school, the Associated Press reports.

Per NBC News, clear backpacks were provided to middle school students when they returned to school after the holiday break on Monday, and will be given to high school students when they ultimately return, though a date has not been set.

“We are doing clear backpacks for middle schools … and high school students when they return,” Oxford Community Schools Superintendent Tim Throne told parents in a video message. “We continue to make progress in the reconstruction of Oxford High School and we are working through the enormous number of logistics involved in our safe and soft reopening plan.”

Such backpacks will not be required for elementary school students, though kids will have to leave their book bags in their cubbies and lockers all day.

The announcement comes after Oxford student Ethan Crumbley, 15, was hit with murder and terrorism charges as a result of the deadly shooting. Crumbley will be charged as an adult, and his parents Jennifer and James Crumbley have also been charged with involuntary manslaughter after police said they didn’t do enough to curb their son’s violent demeanor. Both the parents and Ethan have pleaded not guilty.

Two lawsuits have been filed against the school district since the shooting, each seeking $100 million in damages from Superintendent Timothy Throne, Oxford High School principal Steven Wolf, the dean of students, two counselors, two teachers and a staff member.