Public school systems across North Carolina are implementing clear bag policies to improve school safety.
Many Cumberland County schools don’t allow students to carry any backpacks between classes. For those that do, CityView searched through their policies and school supply lists to determine which required students use clear or mesh backpacks this school year. When information about a school’s policies wasn’t available online, we gave them a call to determine their requirements.
These are the schools requiring students use a mesh or clear backpack on campus for the 2025-2026 school year:
Elementary schools
- Gallberry Farm Elementary School
Middle schools
- Westover Middle School
- Luther Nick Jeralds Middle School
- New Century International Middle School
- Spring Lake Middle School
- South View Middle School (only for gym class bags)
- Douglas Byrd Middle School
- Reid Ross Classical School
High schools
- Alger B. Wilkins High School
- Seventy-First High School
- Pine Forest High School
- South View High School
- Douglas Byrd High School
- E.E. Smith High School
- Cumberland Polytechnic High School
- Reid Ross Classical School
In addition to individual school policies, all Cumberland County Schools athletic events now require clear bags. Attendees are limited to one clear bag, no larger than 12 inches by 15 inches by 3 inches.
Attendees are allowed to bring a single one-gallon Ziploc bag and medically necessary items like oxygen tanks. Those with children can also bring diaper bags.
Other permitted items are as follows, so long as any pockets or compartments are left open and empty, according to the school system’s press release:
- Coats and jackets
- Blankets
- Soft baby carriers or slings
- Strollers
- Medically required equipment, including wheelchairs or walkers
CityView Reporter Morgan Casey is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms. Morgan’s reporting focuses on health care issues in and around Cumberland County and can be supported through the News Foundation of Greater Fayetteville.
Trey Nemec is a reporter for CityView and a Fayetteville State University alumnus. His work can also be supported through the News Foundation of Greater Fayetteville.
