GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – A loaded handgun found in a student’s backpack at Preble High School on Tuesday is prompting sweeping changes to school security across the Green Bay Area Public School District.
Police say the 16-year-old student was taken into custody after a fight in the school lunchroom. Officers searched his backpack — which had been left in a locked classroom — and found the loaded firearm inside.
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The student is facing multiple charges, including disorderly conduct, battery, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm in a school and possession of a firearm by someone under 18.
Superintendent Vicki Bayer says the incident underscores the need for stronger safety protocols.
“We take this incredibly seriously,” Bayer said. “Students who do something like this — we will discipline them to the best of our ability.”
Starting September 22, all students in grades 6–12 will be required to use clear backpacks on campus. Bayer says the district will work with families who may need assistance getting one and emphasized the support the community has already shown.
“I don’t want to embarrass any of them,” Bayer said. “Some of our staff were brought to tears because of the donations. This community is really stepping up because our students’ safety is essential to us as a community.”
The district is also reviewing additional security measures, including metal detectors, random searches, and a full site security assessment with the Wisconsin School Safety Coordinators Association.
“Everything is on the table,” Bayer said. “If there is room for improvement, the assessment would tell us, we would implement that as well.”
Green Bay Police Chief Chris Davis says the department will continue working with the district on security upgrades and the possibility of adding more officers in schools.
“We will certainly work with the district to redeploy resources,” Chief Davis said. “We’ve been fortunate over the last few years to be flexible and be able to add resources when we know we need to.”
School Board President James Lyerly praised the district for moving quickly.
“The last couple of days of finding a gun loaded in one of our high schools has communicated to us that we need to do more, and I applaud the district for taking timely, decisive action,” Lyerly said.
The district will hold a community roundtable on school safety on Monday at 6 p.m. at Preble High School, giving families, students, and staff a chance to share their ideas on how to make schools safer.
