Students share views on recent rules crackdowns

By De'Asia T.

At Airport High School, a fresh set of rules has been introduced, causing discontent among the students of Airport High. The Lexington two school district and staff have implemented new regulations for the 2024 school year, such as the new pass system ‘Smart Pass’ and harsher punishments for students who are deemed as defiant or unruly. Many students are outraged and are using their voice to discuss the new disciplinary policy.

The new disciplinary policy for the 2024 school year consists of a 2-hour long detention due to failure to wear ID’s. follow the dress code, and have cellphones out during class. Along with a 5$ charge to your account for every new ID provided when yours isn’t worn.

These new rules are sparking frustration and conflicts between students and staff, and parents alike. Administrator’s have expressed the need for new and improved rules to keep students headed in the right direction, and to make AHS a safer and more controlled learning environment. Admin also claims detentions for ID’s not worn and the 5$ charge will teach students how to be more responsible.

Although this sounds good, many parents and students do not 100% agree on the extent the school is taking the rules, and feel as if it is not a good way for the kids to learn responsibility and the punishment is too harsh for such little things such as dress code and ID’s.

I took time out to interview some Eagles and get their opinions on the new pass system and disciplinary rules taking place within Airport this year.

When asking about the school's new pass system SmartPass, Che’Niyah S. says, “Um the pass system? I don't really like the pass system because it only gives you like 2 passes per day and it only gives you 5 minutes to do… your… yk, your business or whatever so yeah.”

Madyson L. says, “I like the new pass system, because in my opinion it just makes more sense, I personally just like it better.”

Joshua J. says, “I don't think that should’ve been a rule, they should’ve kept the old passes. And the only reason why I don't like it is because when you try to use the bathroom you can’t because other people are in the bathroom.

Hannah R. says, “I don’t like it, it takes too much time to have to make it.”

Kourtney C. says “I feel like it’s okay. But it’s not really fair because you only have 5 minutes to use the restroom and let’s say you're in 300 hall but you have to go to the library that's a really far walk there and back and then it takes time to look at books and other things and 5 minutes really isn’t enough. Also it only lets you make two passes out the day.

When asked about their opinions of the new disciplinary policy regarding punishments for tardies and other infractions,

“Dress code policy it's a little overboard sometimes with like the certain rips in your jeans and if you have your shoulder out it's a little overboard and detention for ID’s that's also kind of overboard… It's like… it’s an ID,” said Che’Niyah S.

“Okay, so for the disciplinary for the IDs, it’s actually kinda crazy because I feel like if you get in trouble once for not having it on you shouldn't get detention, unless it's a repeating thing. And I feel like the dress code is just unfair, Because it’s like men can sag but if a girl were to do it it would be a problem and there's so many different dress codes for girls.

“Um, I think it's stupid. 2 hours is crazy. And the hall monitors take it too far,” said Hannah R.

“Mmmm, I don't really agree with the IDs for detention because everyone forgets and loses things all the time, now if they don’t have it like all the time and keep doing it then yeah i can understand that!, the phones i can agree with like don’t bring them out during class because that's when we have to learn and get credits to graduate and stuff but at least you know let us have them on us so that when something happens we can get our parents, and the dress code i personally i guess is fine but i feel very iffy about it,” says Madyson L.

After interviewing these Eagles and seeing their perspectives and views on the news school rules, maybe the district office, AHS and our principal Matt. Schilit will consider changing around a few things.

On the flip side, many adults favor the policies and are pleased that these simple school rules are finally being enforced. Teachers have long felt that faillure to enforce small rules teaches kids to push boundaries and enables them to break bigger rules, causing bigger problems at the schools. Teachers also want to clarify that these rules are not new and are not unique to AHS; it's just that holding kids accountable for following simple rules fell to the wayside in previous years, so it feels like everything is more strict than before--but really, this is how it always should have been.