Hertford County Public Schools Implements Clear Book Bags for 2024/2025 School Year

Winton, NC - Hertford County Public Schools is announcing that all students will be required to use clear book bags for the upcoming 2024/2025 school year. This decision comes as part of the district's ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its students and staff. By adopting clear book bags, the district aims to enhance visibility and prevent the concealment of prohibited items, thereby creating a safer school environment.

In addition to the clear book bags, Hertford County Public Schools is implementing several other safety measures:

● Centegix - Formerly known as Ident-A-Kid, has been installed in all HCPS locations to make our visitor management process the same throughout the district. Each Centegix station has a dedicated computer, driver license scanner, and two printers (one for

visitor stickers and one for tardy passes). This initiative will help us identify campus visitors who have or have not checked in at the front desk.

● Access Control - We are working with BFPE to upgrade our access control systems (door access at all locations). This project will make access control uniform throughout the district and provide each staff member with an identification card as their key to enter a school building. Building access will be granted based on the staff member’s role in the district.

● Bus Cameras: Implementing state-of-the-art surveillance on school buses to ensure the safety of students during transportation.

● Radios for Schools and Buses: Enhancing communication capabilities within schools and buses, a critical component for effective emergency response and daily operations.

● Metal Detectors: Additional security measures are introduced to safeguard school premises and events by adding metal detectors.

Dr. Jesse J. Pratt, Superintendent, expressed confidence that these measures will significantly enhance the security of our schools, ensuring a safer environment for all students and staff.