SAN ANTONIO – Students at North East Independent School District will now be required to use clear backpacks only for the next school year.

Following the same guideline implemented in Parkland, Florida, after the deadly school shooting, traditional backpacks will be banned on NEISD campuses.

If a parent is unable to afford a clear backpack for his or her child, the district advises contacting the students’ principal and a clear backpack will be provided.

NEISD elementary schools will be exempt from the clear backpack policy. Additionally, band bags, athletic bags, purses and lunch boxes will still be permitted for all students.

Other security changes coming for the 2018-2019 school year include adding a “buzz in” system for school visitors. All exterior doors to schools will also be locked during the day.

The staff will have access to hand-held metal detectors to use at their own discretion. The district is currently developing guidelines for random searches.

While school is out for the summer, administrators will receive active shooter training. Police officers are being hired to patrol the elementary schools while armed officers will be assigned to each middle and high schools.

“NEISD is committed to the safety of our students, staff and volunteers. We will do whatever is in our power to secure our campuses so that you don’t have to worry about your children when they are in school. We hope we can count on your support in these endeavors,” states the NEISD Facebook post.