By Miriam McPhail

Staff Writer

    At R.J. Reynolds High School, a sudden new tardy-sweep policy has been met with a mix of reactions from teachers and students. According to Principal Intern Carlynne Richards, Principal Freeman conceived the idea as a way to address a reported increase in absences, tardiness, and class skipping. However, the abrupt introduction of the policy, which has classroom doors locking almost immediately after the bell rings and sends any stragglers to the cafeteria, caught many off guard and brought about unintended consequences.

    “We implemented the tardy sweeps so that we could emphasize the importance of getting to class on time,” Richards said. “[We wanted to] get an account of how many students are skipping or tardy to class and get their names, so we can keep count of how many tardies we have. The repeat offenders had detention with Mr. Freeman, and their parents were contacted.” 

    This decision comes after a wave of complaints from teachers about tardiness and the unnecessary responsibilities it puts on them. Students arriving late disrupt the class and make it difficult to submit attendance. Many teachers welcome the new procedure and are happy to see this level of support from administrators. 

    “It lets students know that the whole school is holding them accountable,” Deborah Koerner, an English teacher, said. “An individual teacher has to manage students in their classroom, so it’s also very difficult to manage late students. If someone else is coming through and making sure that part’s taken care of, then I can focus on the students who managed to make it to class on time.” 

    In this regard, the tardy sweeps have been effective. The only question is how long-term those effects were. Olson noted that students were more punctual for only two or three days afterwards.

    “I think it keeps students on their toes,” Photography teacher Trina Olson said. “When we do it a couple of times a day, I notice the hallways are clearer more often, and students get to class for fear that they’re going to be locked out. But, you know, we haven’t been doing it on a regular basis. I would like to see a surprise lockout once or twice a day.”

    On the other hand, some people argue that the lockouts have had an overwhelmingly negative effect, creating additional obstacles and frustration rather than encouraging attendance. Some say that the effort is counter-productive or even hypocritical, as class is further disrupted by the instructions for the teachers to lock their doors that blare through the speakers while class is supposed to be starting.

    “The people who do [skip class] do not care,” Tinsley Whitehart said. “They’re just going to keep doing it. This is just kind of making it seem like jail for everyone.” 

    With doors being locked immediately after the bell, the tardy sweeps presented issues for students coming from the Career Center High School and the gym. Sophomore Reese Holder expressed her frustration at hurrying all the way across campus from weightlifting only to be reprimanded for something out of her control. 

    “Some people genuinely don’t mean to be tardy and are just unlucky,” Holder said. “If you’re like a minute late, you can’t really help that, so closing it that early doesn’t make sense to me. Wouldn’t they rather you be in class, whether you’re late or not?” 

    However, based on the generally agreed-upon success of tardy sweeps so far, administrators plan to continue them throughout the school year at random, hoping to iron out bumps in the process. 

    “We want all of our students to be successful,” Richards said. “And to be successful, you have to be Reynolds-ready.”