The policy applies to all students in the district, which oversees around 14,700 students. Classes are scheduled to resume on August 6, just days after the district announced the new rule.
Under the updated policy, students may only bring plastic water bottles with plastic lids during the school day and while traveling to and from school on district buses. District officials also apologized for the short notice, acknowledging that the change could cause inconvenience for families.
Metal and Glass Bottles No Longer Permitted
The Hardin County School District announced that no student will be allowed to bring metal or glass water bottles onto school property or onto school buses. According to the district’s statement:
“Only plastic bottles with plastic lids will be acceptable for students to use during the school day and while being transported to and from school on the school bus.”
The district said the restriction is part of revisions to its Code of Acceptable Behavior and Discipline and cited “growing safety and operational concerns” as the reason for the change.
District Says Bottles Have Been Used as Weapons
According to The Sun, the district introduced the ban after metal and glass water bottles had been “used as weapons.”
School bus driver and parent Bobby Thompson told local Fox News affiliate WDRB that he supports the new policy. Thompson said some students have been using the bottles “in fights” and that they have also created disruptions during the school day.
“They’re falling off desks, they’re making loud bangs – they do that on the bus as well,” Thompson told WDRB. “They have also been used as weapons. We’ve seen that in the school.”
Parents React as District Prepares for Start of School Year
The district’s announcement on Facebook received a number of angry reactions from parents. Comments on the post were later switched off.
In its statement, the district said: “We apologize for the short notice and any inconvenience this change may cause families,” with classes due to resume after the summer recess on August 6.
