GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – School safety is a priority for schools all over the U.S., and this includes the Green Bay Area Public School District.
The district made two major changes regarding safety after a handgun was found in a backpack that belonged to a Preble student.
As we’ve reported, the new clear backpack policy will go into effect on Monday for students in grades 6 through 12, and now a second change, enhancing safety protocols in only the high schools, will also be implemented on Monday.
The Green Bay Area Public School District will be taking a tougher stance on school safety, including enhancing safety protocols and how to handle fights and other unsafe acts.
A student at Southwest High School believes the two safety changes are a step in the right direction.
“I think it’s really safety first, to be honest. But it’s definitely a lot more complicated; we have students that don’t really want to change their backpacks and whatnot. But I think over time we will all get used to it and have our clear backpacks,” says Alicia, a GB Southwest student.
District administrators are looking to make suspensions carry more consequences.
After a student is suspended for a fight or involved in unsafe actions, they are required to engage in a one-week minimum transition period following a suspension.
When that student returns to school, they will have a supervisor by their side from the second the student walks through the door until they leave school for the day.
“Yeah, that’s what that whole second week is about. You come back from suspension, and that time with the adult isn’t the adult necessarily saying you better behave, and there’s no communication between them and the student. This is about relationship building there at that time,” says Vicki Bayer, the superintendent of the Green Bay Area Public School District.
This relationship building between the staff, student, and the student’s parents is critical if the student’s behavior needs to change.
“We’re going to make a difference in a student’s life who’s struggling already by engaging in unsafe behavior. That parent relationship with our district matters. And if they are struggling, we need to be able to provide them with resources, which the community is full of them, to help them navigate the parenting role,” says Bayer.
These consequences also extend to students in athletic programs.
Any suspensions will also result in suspension from the team, with a possibility of it becoming permanent.
If a student is engaging in persistent, unsafe acts, they will be recommended for expulsion.
“GBAPS has alternative educational opportunities. So, if a student, for whatever reason, isn’t able to manage their behavior safely on our campus, we have other places. We have alternative education locations, physical alternative education places. We also have online options,” says Bayer.
This includes if a student is enrolled through an intra-district transfer. They will be revoked permanently.
The district hopes these changes will help make its schools safer.
Copyright 2025 WBAY. All rights reserved.