My name is Morgan Taylor. I’m 15 years old and a junior at San
Benito High School. I recently read the article in the Free Lance
that was published June 22 in regards to the removal of school
lockers at San Benito. I have always felt that if you feel strongly
about something or do not agree with it, then you have no right to
complain until you are proactive about the situation. Thus my
writing to you. Last Thursday was the first time I had ever heard
about the mere suggestion of removing lockers from San Benito in my
ASB meeting.
My name is Morgan Taylor. I’m 15 years old and a junior at San Benito High School. I recently read the article in the Free Lance that was published June 22 in regards to the removal of school lockers at San Benito. I have always felt that if you feel strongly about something or do not agree with it, then you have no right to complain until you are proactive about the situation. Thus my writing to you. Last Thursday was the first time I had ever heard about the mere suggestion of removing lockers from San Benito in my ASB meeting.
In the article about the removal of campus lockers from San Benito High School, it was stated that, “Most of the students we talked to said they don’t even use their lockers to store books if they use them at all.” I would highly disagree. Numerous students use their lockers for items needed in the classroom. Not only textbooks but notebooks, writing utensils, calculators, binders, etc. Administration must remember that students not only need books in the classroom, but other items as well. Also, many students use their lockers for necessary items like physical education clothing, or often large dance or sports bags for school related programs. Even though there are only three classes a day now (due to the schedule controversy among the staff and administration) students will not only be carrying textbooks throughout the day, but they will also have binder, notebooks or more.
As I’m sure you are aware, San Benito High School has a very strong athletic program. Many students do several sports in a school year; without lockers now students will have to carry their necessary sport items while carrying their text books! Removing lockers from San Benito’s campus is like telling teachers that each time they leave their classroom they must carry all of their needed teaching materials out of the classroom and back. It’s ridiculous.
The main motive for removing lockers from San Benito’s campus was due to high costs in result of vandalism of lockers. When students use a locker and put their personal contents into the locker they are understanding the risk of those items in the locker possibly getting stolen, defaced or destroyed. If any of those types of vandalism occur, then students are solely responsible for the costs of the contents in the locker. The school is only responsible for the locker itself. I agree that it is ridiculous for lockers to be defaced, but at the same time I do not feel that it is fair for the majority of students who do not deface their lockers to be punished for it. Many of the bathrooms on campus are vandalized and defaced periodically. I ask myself, “What next? Will the school board decide to remove the bathrooms as well?” Now excuse my sarcasm; I obviously know the school can never remove the bathrooms from campus but it is honestly how I feel. Bathrooms are a convenience to students … just as lockers are.
I am not here to deny the fact that lockers are vandalized at the high school, but the fact is that it is not fair to take away all of the lockers for a handful of lockers being defaced. I respect the administration and the school board, but I feel that a decision, like the removal of lockers, that directly affects the students deserves to be talked to students about. The reality of life is that often young people are not taken seriously and are overlooked just because of the fact that they are young. And I strongly feel that in this case the administration overlooked the students and what is best for them. Students should have been asked their opinion … and their opinion should have been counted. The six members of the school board are not the ones that will be having to carry their textbooks, pens, pencils, calculators, binders, sports bags, gym clothes and dance bags, for six-plus hours a day. I know of no students that were asked about the removal of lockers on campus prior to the school board voting and approving the issue. Students should be asked about issues directly affecting them. They should not find out about them after the board has voted and approved the matter.
I feel that the school board’s job is not only to decide on very important issues that involve the well being of San Benito High School but also to make San Benito a more conducive and pleasant place for students to learn. And I can guarantee you that by deciding to remove campus lockers this is not what they are doing. I believe as a result of the removal of lockers students will not bring their proper materials to class at all. Students are not just a little “dissatisfied” by this decision; they are angry and upset that their opinion was not taken into consideration. I suppose for the school board the opportunity to save $20,000 is more vital then encouraging students to learn.
I have spoken to Mrs. Padilla and a few of the school site council members and I understand that the school lockers are being removed. And there really is not anything I can do to stop it. But at least by “getting the word out” about my feelings and the real feelings of the student body something positive will come of it.
But like I stated earlier being proactive is the best a 15-year-old can do.
“Young people” have an opinion … let it be heard.
