There is no change to the tardy policy, but a new way of implementing it.

“We’re just enforcing the rules now.” Vice-Principal Laine Jones said.

Beginning last week, tardy students had to stay two hours at friday night school.

“The consequence has to hurt,” Jones said. “Students won’t learn otherwise.”

Not being on time for first period is considered truancy.

“We need students to be on time for every class,” Jones said. “But first period is what the state of Texas looks at to see if you’re going to school or not.”

The gates close the school off to better manage the tardy kids who come in late.

“I can handle five kids coming in late myself,” Jones said. ”But sixty kids is just too many.”

After the gate closes, students who are late wait in line as Mr. Michael Bennett and Ms. Kim Morisak write tardies.

“We’re just holding students accountable for being on time now,” Jones said.

by Keisha Guice