This file photo shows a backpack hanging at a school. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Green Bay Area Public School District is implementing a new backpack/bag policy in the wake of a weapons incident at one of its high schools.
On Tuesday afternoon, Green Bay police officers responded to two different lunchtime altercations at Preble High School. Further investigation revealed a juvenile student, who is believed to have been involved in the first fight, brought a handgun and ammunition into the school. Both were located by authorities in a backpack in a locked classroom.
The student was taken into custody.
On Wednesday, GBAPS Superintendent Vicki Bayer sent a letter to families saying a new backpack/bag policy will take effect Sept. 22 and impact all students in grades 6-12 at all Green Bay schools. Per the new policy, students who choose to come to school with a backpack or tote bag will be required to use a clear and colorless backpack or bag.
“This week’s incident, where a weapon was brought to Preble High School, reminds us all again, that as a community we need to be ever vigilant in our efforts to keep students safe,” Bayer wrote, in part. She went on to say, “As a District, we are committed to continuous improvement, and regularly review our safety and security policies and procedures to improve. In addition, we know that more must be done to keep students safe.”
Details regarding the change will be coming from the schools’ administrators, Bayer said.
A roundtable discussion on school security will be held Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. at Preble High School to allow community members to share feedback and recommendations for safety improvements.
You can read Bayer’s full letter below:
Dear GBAPS Families:
This week’s incident, where a weapon was brought to Preble High School, reminds us all again, that as a community we need to be ever vigilant in our efforts to keep students safe. As the Green Bay Area Public School District, we have implemented multiple security measures, including:
1. Secure entrances at our elementary schools and security monitors at our middle school and high schools. The 2024 referendum provides funds for secure entrances for our secondary schools. This is a security measure specific to addressing visitors to our buildings.
2. Training for staff and students, including A.L.I.C.E. training, for active shooter situations. You can learn more about A.L.I.C.E. here.
3. Centegix system, which provides staff with a consistent, District-wide tool to notify administration when they need immediate assistance, or to notify the police department of an active shooter in their school.
4. A strong collaboration with the Green Bay Police Department. GBAPS currently has 11 School Resource Officers that work in the District.
5. School site security assessments, where multiple aspects of our buildings are reviewed.
6. And multiple other efforts, many of which we do not share publicly for safety and security reasons.
As a District, we are committed to continuous improvement, and regularly review our safety and security policies and procedures to improve. In addition, we know that more must be done to keep students safe. The following will be taking place:
1. Effective Monday, September 22, 2025, all 6-12th grade students in any of our schools who choose to come to school with a backpack or tote bag will be required to use a clear and colorless backpack or bag. Details regarding this change will be coming from middle and high school administrators.
2. A community roundtable discussion on school security to solicit feedback and recommendations for improvements will be held on Monday, September 15, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at Preble High School.
3. Collaboration with representatives of the Wisconsin School Safety Coordinators Association to review our protocols and procedures and ensure that we are using the most up to date site security assessment process.
4. Strengthening our coordination with community partners/non-profit agencies, with an emphasis on school safety.
I would like to thank the vast number of parents, guardians, and community members that have reached out to provide feedback and support. Your partnership helps us to be our very best.
Vicki Bayer
Superintendent of Schools & Learning
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