MCCORMICK, SC. ()- In two weeks, kids will be heading back to school in McCormick County.

Their first day of school is Thursday, July 24th, and starting then, elementary, middle and high school students will only be allowed to walk around school with a clear backpack.

It has been a topic of conversation for the school district over the last few years.

After notifying parents about the policy at the end of the previous school year, school leaders say they want to take extra precaution to ensure student safety—even though prohibited items have not been an issue at McCormick in the past.

“There’s not necessarily issues here in McCormick, but every day you’re hearing about some kind of incident happening within school districts,” said Superintendent Dr. Jaime Hembree. “We just felt me, myself, the school board, our admin team felt this was the right direction to go to prevent or prohibit any further incidents.”

The district had clear backpacks available to parents on registration day Thursday, but they aren’t required to purchase the ones on hand.

The only requirement is that items inside must be able to be seen, but there are a few restrictions.

“It can have colored straps, it can have mesh pockets, but the bookbag itself cannot be mesh. The bottom of the bookbag, to make it more secure, can have a non-transparent base,” Hembree said.

They’re also allowing clear tote bags and purses, along with non-transparent lunch boxes as long as they are 10″ x 9″ x 5″.

Small monograms and logos can go on the backpack, but they should not exceed the palm of your hand.

However, they are prohibiting designs and decorations on backpacks, as that could potentially hide items inside the backpack.

Parents have also asked about athletic and spirit bags, which in most cases are not clear.

School leaders are making exceptions for these, but ask that they be stored in the band room or locker room on campus—-they say all bags are subject to search.

Another concern is the privacy of certain items students may need to have throughout the school day.

The district will allow students carry those items in a small makeup pouch or purse in the backpack, but they should not be any bigger than 6″ x 9″ x5″.

Necessary medical items are also allowed in the backpacks as long as they have been properly inspected by the school district.

Parents we spoke to are showing support for the new policy.

“The kids don’t like it, but it’ll mean more safety so that’s all that matters. I really think it’s the best opportunity they could have made, especially with so much going on at different schools. The main event is the kids’ safety,” said Sharonta Bonnett.

“It’ll be a lot easier to see if there’s any weapons coming in the school. Every school has had problems with that over the last few years. Also, I work at Cornerstone, so the vapes that are coming in will be easier to monitor too—I would think,” Dana Brock said.

The school district is also working with a local community partner to give out free clear backpacks on July 19th to help those who might not be able to afford it.

The superintendent says implementing this policy is part of their goal to create the safest learning environment for students and staff.

“Safety is number 1 for us,” said Hembree. “Obviously, parents send their kids to school to learn, but they have to be safe. We just feel like this will be yet another measure to increase that security.”

The expectation is for students to abide by the policy, but school leaders say they will work with every child to make sure they have the supplies they need.

We’re also learning the new policy is not just for students.

School leaders say they have already bought clear bags for teachers to use so they can lead by example.

Those will be distributed ahead of the first day of class in two weeks.

For more information on the policy, click here.