HOWLAND — The Howland Board of Education heard updates about one of the district’s new policies for sporting events or activities, which were implemented earlier this month.

At Monday’s regular board of education meeting, Superintendent Kevin Spicher provided the board and residents with a quick briefing about safety and security updates, which the district’s administration announced Oct. 16 and utilized at a football and soccer game.

“The clear bag policy, we learned a bit from the first (event), and the good thing is, we don’t care if it’s a Ziploc bag or anything else,” Spicher said. “But what we’ve been learning in some of the conferences in Columbus is that everything from airport security, TSA, going into any game — I just went to a concert the other evening, and you are literally frisked. You’re patted down.”

Spicher said the district wasn’t going to take similar measures, but at the same time, recognized that schools were “soft targets”, adding that they wanted to make sure both kids on the field and spectators alike were as safe as possible.

“It’s a very simple thing; it’s just clear bags or don’t bring anything at all,” Spicher said.

Spicher said Howland police have shared interest and their full support of the policy, which he says school officials appreciate.

“If they believe there’s some sort of issue, we now have the police, and they’ve been very helpful as they’re in separate areas,” Spicher said. “They’re actually assigned to those areas to make sure that there’s no way that something could transpire in that capacity.”

Spicher said they’ve also roped off any dark places in the stadium where things could happen, but the areas are also being patrolled.

Spicher said people have spoken about metal detectors, but the district lacks the funds for them.

“At the same time, vigilance is one of the best things we can possibly do, and having that vigilance be in place with something like a clear bag policy — and people have been very receptive,” Spicher said. “Most of the people, from the way I understand, have shared — and this is going to be for all of our spectator competitions — most of them have shared that they wonder why things like this weren’t in place a long time ago.”

Board President Julie Altawil asked if the policy would apply to athletes, as they’re still going to have gym bags. Spicher clarified that the rule applied to spectators, explaining that they understand athletes are going to have private clothing and adding that they know the rules, too.

Board member Jeff Pegg asked if there had been any discussion about feminine hygiene products, pointing out that he’s only heard comments from mothers with younger daughters.

Spicher said they’re allowed to carry a small bag or purse, noting that the list that was provided by the district specified bags of a certain size that are allowed.