Many schools in the district also have strict policies about what kind of backpacks -- if any -- students can carry.

"We used to have lockers, but it became an issue about what kinds of things students could hide in them," said Pat O'Neill, assistant superintendent for administrative services.

"Everybody felt that if you got rid of the lockers, you got rid of potential problems. But now what they used to hide in the lockers they started hiding in the backpacks," he said.

As a "proactive approach," O'Neill said, some schools have prohibited backpacks while others restrict their size, style and even color.

At Col. John O. Ensor Middle School, for example, only clear, translucent or mesh backpacks are allowed. The school website spells out its policy as a way "to allow administration or any faculty member to observe what is in the backpack." No oversize or camping-style bags are allowed, and no writing is allowed on the backpacks.

Patricia Sanchez, whose son Jason will begin sixth grade at Ensor next week, said she just recently became aware of the policy.

"It does concern me that this is necessary, but I'd rather know that he's safe if kids can't sneak things in they're not supposed to," she said. "But at the same time, it allows others to see what you have, and they might be more tempted to steal. It's sad either way."

The transparent and mesh backpacks aren't as easy to find, but several stores carried them at prices comparable to regular backpacks, Sanchez said.

"We just had to look a little harder," she said.

El Dorado High School has a policy similar to Ensor's. Walter E. Clarke Middle School doesn't allow red backpacks (or scarves, belts or shoes) because of the color's association with gangs, and Montwood Middle School prohibits backpacks altogether.

O'Neill said the district doesn't have a gang problem or major problems with violence. He said there is always the potential for students to take weapons into schools. Other items, such as electronics that are prohibited, could be sneaked in, too.

"We don't want to be reactive to a problem, so we work to be proactive," he said. "Often these policies are more of a deterrent than anything else."

O'Neill said the district has a general student code of conduct and policies that blanket all of its schools.

Read more of this article at El Paso Times