New Marietta High School Principal Michael Oakley met with his faculty on Tuesday morning to outline his plans for the year as well as discuss some changes that will be instituted as the new school year begins.
Two major changes that will be introduced are the abolition of corporal punishment in the district, as well as the introduction of a closed campus in the high school, with student safety cited as the major reason for the latter change.
Other adjustments deal with the implementation of a tracking system that Oakley plans to use.
“When it comes to infractions of the dress code, cell phone policy, and parking lot rules, we will be using a tracking system,” he explained. “The large majority of our students don’t break any rules, but there are some who will do so chronically if they don’t receive consequences for their actions.”
The system is a step process which begins with a warning and progresses to more severe consequences with each infraction.
There are no changes in the dress code, or the parking lot rules, but Oakley says both will be enforced this year.
“We’re going to keep track of what our kids are doing, good and bad, and use that to shape and improve behavior,” Oakley said.
There is a student handbook change to the cell phone policy.
“This year, cell phones are strictly not allowed out in class, and cannot be used in class for any purpose,” Oakley remarked. “They can be used during class breaks or at lunch time, but not at all in class. We’re hoping to cut down on instances of videoing, cyber-bullying, and other things with this change.”
Another handbook change is the school board’s approval of a stricter punishment for violations of the district’s drug policy. The violation of drug policy can now be punished by a suspension of up to two semesters.
The handbook is available on the school website for parents, and Oakley will be meeting with students within the first week of school to discuss expectations.