A Gwinnett County Public Schools representative has not responded directly to questions from the North Gwinnett Voice about the purchase of clear backpacks and instead referenced a district statement shared online on Oct. 18.
The North Gwinnett Voice emailed Bernard Watson, director of community and media relations, on Oct. 22 with the following questions:
- Did the school system already have orders placed for clear backpacks prior to the community survey that was conducted?
- In light of the survey results, with slightly more than half of adult respondents opposed, why did the school system decide to move forward with the clear backpacks pilot program?
- Do you have any additional information at this time on what the pilot program will look like?
Watson’s response, verbatim, from Oct. 23:
Deanna,
Thanks for your interest in Gwinnett County Public Schools.
In reference to your questions, please see the district’s statement found on the GCPS website.
I appreciate all you do!
In service of students and families,
Bernard
The North Gwinnett Voice responded as follows on Oct. 23:
Mr. Watson,
Thank you for responding. Unfortunately, the statement you referenced does not answer my direct questions, specifically the question about an order for clear backpacks being placed prior to the survey being conducted.
I prefer to contact sources directly rather than rely upon reports from other media outlets to inform North Gwinnett Voice readers, and those readers are asking questions and are confused about the school system’s actions as reported by other media organizations.
Would you prefer for me to share the statement you linked to with our readers and let them know that the school system is not answering direct questions from the media regarding this matter?
Respectfully,
Deanna Allen
Watson has not responded to the North Gwinnett Voice’s email above.
The North Gwinnett Voice has emailed each of the five members of the Gwinnett County Board of Education and will provide updates as responses are received.
