GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — On Monday, the Grand Rapids Public Schools board defended the decision to ban backpacks across the district.
READ MORE: Backpacks banned from GRPS after loaded gun found on 3rd grader
At least 60 people showed up at Southwest Middle and High School, where the school , among other items, the backpack ban.
As of May 10, students were forbidden from bringing their usual bags to school after a 3rd grader brought a loaded handgun to Stocking Elementary, which was the fourth time this year a student carried a gun into a GRPS school.
"It is our hope that this measure will make it more difficult to coneceal weapons and bring guns onto school property," Dr. Leadriene Roby, the GRPS Superintendent, explained at Monday's board meeting.
READ MORE: AG, GRPS officials meet to talk district safety plan, safe storage laws
"I also hope that this will encourage parents to look into their kids' bags and take serious precautions," she continued. "We don't want anyone to experience the things we've heard about in our communities where a child or others has been harmed."
While the district addressed the ban at Monday's meeting, many parents expressed frustration with how the district handled the situation.
"The reason I stand before you is my concern for the lack of strategic planning for our children," one parent said. "Where was the planning sessions when Oxford occurred just a couple hours away? Where was the planning when MSU happened an hour away? Where was the planning when the first gun was found? The second? The third?"
Other parents asked school leaders to do better by their children.
"We should not have our children face these dangerous things in school. I should not have to explain to my kid that these are different than Nerf guns. I am furious," one parent said.
READ: Students, parents react to GRPS backpack ban
"It's a marginalization and criminalization of our children. Underserved districts treat our children like delinquents and criminals," said another person. "Think of the inconveniences and challenges it brings to our children's education and academic experience."
Since it was enacted, the backpack ban has meet with resistance from parents and students, with some organizing a walkout last week.
At Monday's meeting the GRPS board unanimously approved a safe gun storage resolution, urging parents to safely store their weapons so children can't get a hold of them.
In addition to school safety, the GRPS board also voted on another key issue: the demolition of the old Kensington School building.
In a unanimous vote, the board moved to proceed with the plan to tear down the vacant building, then engage with the community about how best to use the space.
READ: GRPS committee recommends tearing down Kensington School building
The conversation about guns and school safety will continue at a community forum scheduled from 1-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, at GRPS University.
