LINDSAY RICE – Hoof Prints Staff

In recent years, Buffalo Island Central High School has a major increase in tardies.  As a result of this, the administration has felt the need to create a new tardy policy.  While most teachers feel that this new policy is the answer, some students do not like it at all.

Instead of receiving a “U” in conduct, detention, and taking all semester tests, students who receive a sixth tardy are now suspended for a day and take all semester tests.  For tardies seven through 10, a one day suspension will be administered.  A student who receives an eleventh tardy will be placed on probation – barred from all school activities such as prom and softball day.  Also a petition may be filed with the prosecuting attorney’s office. The parents of the student will have to go to court and answer why said student has such a problem with tardiness and why suspensions haven’t corrected the behavior.

Principal Randy Rose believes that the increase in tardies occurred when we changed to five minutes in between classes. He also said he thinks that five minutes is too long in between classes; that tardies happen because students get into conversations and end up late.  Rose said, “I think our tardy policy is lenient enough to allow for an occasional read tardy.”  He said he believes that being suspended and getting zeros on work missed has had an effect on the amount of tardies.

Teachers are effected by tardies just as much as, if not more, than students.  Class is interrupted when a student comes in late. Not only does the student usually miss something and ends up disturbing the class even more by asking a lot of questions, but the teacher has to stop what he or she is doing to redo the absentee slip or call the office if it’s already been picked up. Carol Hamrick said that tardies make her feel as though the student is saying that art is not important.  “I think five minutes is plenty of time.  When I was in school we only had three,” said Hamrick.

Andrea Buck says she only has around one tardy a week here, whereas at Greene County Tech she had many more because the school was so big.  Unlike here, students have many buildings to go between to get from one class to the next.  She said, “If I’m in the middle of my lesson, it’s irritating but if I haven’t started I’m usually okay with it. If followed, I think it’s a great policy.”

Many students are angered by the change.  Michel Beaird said, “I feel it’s too big of a jump from the old policy.”  For some students it does seem hard to have time between classes to get books, use the restroom, and make it all the way back down the hall to class.

Although some students are angered, Rose does believe the new policy has had an effect. The administration hopes the number of tardies will continue to decrease.