| Students swarm out into the hall from classrooms to pick up backpacks and coats so they can move on to their next class at Mont Harmon Junior High. Administrators at the school indicate that the removal of hall lockers from the building last summer has been a positive thing for the students, faculty and staff. |
When Carbon district and the administration at Mont Harmon Junior High decided to pull the lockers out of the school last summer, there were concerns about how the plan would work.
But during the board of education meeting on Dec. 13, principal Kerry Jensen told the members that the move at Mont Harmon accomplished many of the anticipated goals at the junior high school.
“There are a lot of things that have been different,” stated Jensen. “Probably the most significant thing we have found is that kids are talking to each other rather than having their nose in their lockers. Noise in the halls is down, too.”
Jensen said the removal of the lockers has not caused any problems with students having what they need for class.
In fact, assistant principal Carol Wells indicated that the idea of having a book at home and one for each student in each classroom has cut down excuse problems.
“Kids can’t claim they forgot their book anymore,” pointed out Wells during board meeting. “They have it right their on their desk.”
The situation doesn’t keep students from not doing their homework, explained the assistant principal. But the books being at the school has aided teachers in making sure the students have the class materials.
In addition, students remain in classes instead of running to lockers to get books.
“It has also kept the traffic in the halls between classes to a minimum, too,” said Wells on Tuesday.
As the assistant principal and three teachers stood in the halls, few students were seen as the bell rang.
| Students hurry to class at Mont Harmon Junior High. Officials indicate that the removal of lockers has accomplished numerous anticipated goals. |
In addition to the lockers being taken out last summer, in the fall a resource officer was added to the school’s staff in the Officer Rob Radley has improved the administration’s ability to cut down on problems with students.
Jensen listed a number of positives about having the officer in the school.
“First, he gives us another set of eyes with authority and he also gives us an availability to resources we haven’t had in the past,” said Jensen.
In addition, the officer has developed relationships with students at Mont Harmon and worked closely with Wells on discipline problems.
Radley and Wells can work as witnesses for each other to keep everyone on the same page.
If there is a criminal problem, Radley is at the school and the administration does not have to decide whether to call in the Price police.
Having the officer also helps the administration stay within its boundaries of authority.
“I think the money that is being spent for the position is being well spent,” indicated Jensen.
Radley, who also spoke to the board of education at the meeting, said that he thought the locker removal was a positive action.
“When the bell rings kids are moving and the flow through the halls is much better,” he said. “I know that I anticipated some theft problems with many of the students having to leave backpacks and coats out in the halls during classes and the lunchroom, but I was wrong. We have only had two cases of theft of the backpacks this year so far.”
Jensen concluded the comments to the board about the situation by telling them that he was proud and thankful that Mont Harmon was the pilot school for the locker removal concept.