As students that are going to attend Career and Technical High School this year, we are very concerned for this new policy. We ask that you share this with friends and family involved at this school, and feel free to add a comment explaining how this could effect you too.

This policy is scheduled to take effect when the school year starts on August 14th, 2025. The new policy states that, “all students are required to keep their cell phones (BP 5131.02), bags of all sizes, and coats in their lockers during school hours.”- Jason Ross, August 5th 2025. Please note that the requirement of cell phone storage in lockers is a district mandate, but the coats and bags were an add on by Jason Ross for Career Tech. This distinction is important because it clarifies who has the authority to change this policy and who to contact. This information may have been unclear in the recent message sent out explaining the policy. This new policy, specifically regarding the required storage of bags and coats in lockers during school hours would effect the majority if not all students within Career and Technical High School. Forcing students to leave belongings in their lockers during the day would pose a variety of challenges for students and teachers alike. Not only would it create challenges and safety hazards, but the policy may also go against the Student Bill of Rights. In section E, the Bill of Rights states that, “A student's style of dress and grooming will not be regulated by the School District, except to the extent reasonably necessary to promote the educational environment.” Coats completely fall underneath this, and backpacks are a gray area. This policy is exessive and unnecessary meaning it could completely contradict the Student Bill of Rights. As for other challenges and safety concerns, students trying to fit all of their belongings in a locker would take up a significant amount of time. I have heard that many lockers are broken and jam often as well. Students will be late for class much more often which not only effects students, but staff and parents too. Not only would it be hard for students to access their lockers during every passing period, but also many students use a significant amount of the materials in their backpacks. This would mean carrying a variety of supplies by hand across school grounds rather than in a backpack. The policy aims to ensure a safer and more organized learning area by reducing tripping hazards, but would actually lead to less organization and a more dangerous situation. I have heard many times that Career Tech aims to be very organized and teach students responsibility, but this new policy makes all of that fall flat. As students have to carry many supplies by hand instead of in a backpack, they will drop materials more often and even accidentally damage school issued laptops. Not having a backpack in the classroom would mean more loose materials such as notebooks and binders on the ground. These supplies would be scattered and harder to see which increases tripping hazards rather than reducing them. The policy also states that coats must be placed in lockers during the day even though many classrooms are portables outside. In the winter months, this policy creates an extremely hazardous situation. Many days are cold enough for frostbite and other cold related health concerns.

If the policy remains in place this could increase danger, individuals may get seriously injured, and the school may even face lawsuits over trying to fix a nonexistent problem. If the policy is edited or removed, things would likely return to normal where little to no problems occurred.

Now is the time to act. If we can remove or edit this policy soon, a safer, more organized school environment would return. Students would get to class with plenty of time instead of an increase rate of tardies. 

If the information above isn’t enough, comments from other students highlight numerous other flaws with this new policy. Here are a few student voices that really drive a point:

Gabby commented, “Feminine hygiene product: female students often don't know when to expect their feminine cycles and need to carry a little personal bag that discreetly stores their products Inconvenience of carrying supplies: Book bags in the name have an intended purpose, which is to carry books. Students need to carry certain materials for classes that are required by the teacher in their syllabus. The backpack ban makes it more difficult for students to carry around these materials efficiently without strain or forgetting something. Time between passing periods: The school schedule doesn't allow enough time for students to get to each class on time after stopping by their locker to frantically get everything they need for their next class. It can also cause a challenge because many classes are around the school and located on the other side of the school building, and even outside, which could cause even more injury if students are trying to carry all of their belongings that they need in hand. Coats have to be stored in lockers: Here in Alaska, temperatures can reach very low, and some classrooms can be cold during the wintertime. By forcing students to put coats away in their lockers to “stay out of the way” and “keep injuries from happening”, students are more prone to being cold and freezing during the winter months. Fire drills are a major example of this. For instance, say that there was a fire in the school, and this rule is in place for where you have to leave coats in lockers. Students will likely be standing out in the winter cold for hours, and that causes them to be susceptible to the many uncomfortable winter conditions while waiting for help to arrive.”

Alexa commented, “I can't even get my locker open so it's going to take me longer to get in and out of it ensuring I will be tardy to my class, having to carry all of my supplies along with my computer means more chances of dropping my computer and breaking it. Due to this, there will be a much higher amount of broken computers putting a burden on the students, teachers and school of having to get them fixed not to mention the cost. Students whose classes aren't close, will try to carry all their supplies needed plus a computer and one bump in the hallway will be disastrous and create the tripping and hazard the school says they are trying to avoid. Imagine the hazard this will be happening on the stairs! Students are constantly bumping into each other and this is an accident waiting to happen.”

Kris commented, “Besides the issue of creating chaos of students trying to carry everything needed by hand and unorganized desk areas in the classroom with loose items, this policy has created an opportunity for the students to check their phones in the locker during every passing period and lunch. I don't know of any teen who will not take that opportunity causing an even longer delay getting to class. This policy has not only created a larger problem but completely defeats the purpose of the district's cell phone ban.”

Potential solutions include:

Editing the policy to only enforce the storage of electronic devices in lockers during the day rather than bags and coats, ensuring students get to class on time and creating a safer environment.

Removing the policy entirely to return the situation to status quo. 

Editing the rule to add hooks or racks in classrooms to organize coats and backpacks while still having them nearby.