Gwen Lizarraga High Cracks Down on Tardy Students

There was uproar this morning outside of Gwen Lizarraga High School where tardy students were locked out and not allowed to enter the compound, essentially missing out on their first classes of the day. When our news crew arrived on the scene, over a dozen students were standing outside on Antelope Street and police officers were on the compound with several mobiles patrolling the surrounding area. So why were the students not allowed into their classrooms? A sign posted across the compound by the administration informed students that, “the school gate will be locked at eight-ten. Students will not be allowed to enter and are expected to return home.”  One parent was visibly irate and expressed her frustration with members of staff, upon finding out that her child was not in school. When News Five spoke with the acting principal, we were informed to check with the Chairman of the School Board, Roosevelt Blades. News Five was told by staff that the school is faced with the perennial issue of students coming late to school, some up to an hour after the morning bell is rung. One teacher contends that parents were also notified of this new system in place since the start of the school year in September and through a text blast. While we were on the scene, a vehicle leaving the compound gave way for students to slip onto the compound through the opened gate.