New tardies policy creates problems for Jefferson City students

Students at Jefferson City High School are not happy with a new program designed to cut down on tardies:

After talking with area and state school officials, school administrators decided to go with a program known as “Start on Time.”

Offered by the group Safe and Civil Schools of Eugene, Ore. - which produces programs to help improve student behavior - “Start on Time” seeks to increase hallway safety and classroom climate, increase student and teacher interaction and decrease class interruptions.

High School Assistant Principal DeLinda Fitch, who worked on implementing the program for Jefferson City High School, said it looked like the program could reduce tardies by more than the 75 percent they initially predicted.

When the bell rings, the classroom doors are locked and teachers start teaching immediately.

Teachers who are in the hallway are known as the “Positive Sweep Team.” They gather the students left in the hallway after the bell rings, then take those students to a central location where administrators work with the students and give them either a warning or detention.

Then, a sweep team member escorts the student back to classroom to let the teacher know where he or she has been.

Luther said district officials believe that the high school tardy policy was put in place to maximize time in the classroom and to make the school a safer, more secure environment.