Highlands purse policy has parents angry over lack of privacy
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Brackenridge resident Liz Myers says being a “girl mom” sometimes means having to stand up for certain rights.
A Highlands School District policy that bans middle school students from carrying purses, belt bags and fanny packs around the school has Myers fighting for her daughter’s privacy, she said.
As outlined in the school handbook, bags have to be left in lockers during the school day. But parents say officials only started cracking down on the policy last week.
“The biggest problem is that kids that age can be mean and, when you can’t conceal certain things, they get made fun of,” Myers said.
District policy prohibits students from using purses and other bags, which parents argue can be used to discreetly carry feminine hygiene products.
“It can be an embarrassing topic,” said parent Angel Matthews. “Kids don’t want to be made fun of.”
Matthews of Brackenridge said the policy is especially awkward for young girls, “who should be entitled to some privacy.”
It is unclear what the punishment is for students caught with bags during class time.
Highlands administrators did not respond to requests for comment, nor did any of the nine school board directors.
Across the A-K Valley, purse carrying doesn’t appear to be a problem.
Plum Superintendent Rick Walsh said students are permitted to carry bags during the school day.
Outgoing Leechburg Superintendent Tiffany Nix said “students can carry a purse. They go through a bag check in the morning.”
Allegheny Valley and New Ken-Arnold school districts also allow bags throughout the day.
“We do not have a policy prohibiting bags in school,” said Jon Banko, principal of Valley Junior-Senior High School. “Part of our entry protocol includes bag checks for all students and visitors entering the building.”
Myers and other parents are upset this has become an issue at Highlands.
“Why all of a sudden is this a problem?” Myers said.
She said district officials told her students can go to their locker if need be or to the nurse’s office.
“The problem with that is they are on timed breaks,” Myers said.
“I feel like, as young girls, they should be entitled to some discretion and not have to explain themselves if they have to go to their locker first or if they go over the time limit.”
Parent Laura McCall of Tarentum doesn’t disagree with the policy or its enforcement.
But she said the district should provide a simple solution to safeguard students from potential bullying.
“I don’t really care if they ban purses but, if that’s the case, then they should supply feminine products inside the bathroom for free,” McCall said. “Kids are not comfortable at that age, and this shouldn’t be an issue.”