One of the biggest pieces of news that has been floating around Kingsway Regional High School lately is the introduction of wearing school IDs. From the very beginning, it has been clear that the students were not in favor of this rule; however, the administration is for it. To get both sides of the argument, we asked a few students and an administrator what their stance on the IDs is, if they think it will promote safety if they think they should be worn to the bathroom or at all times, and when they think it would be useful to have them on. 

 The main goal of the staff is to keep the student body as safe as possible, and they believe IDs are the solution to this. Assistant Principal, Steven Ottinger gave insight into what the administrators are thinking and how this goal would be achieved. Ottinger stated, “In a school of 2,000 students and staff it is impossible for everyone to know everyone else in the building. That can lead to some scary scenarios, such as intruders or even students from other schools coming into our school to cause trouble, or worse.” In a school with a larger population keeping the students safe is a difficult task.  Although many students can’t think of a situation where having their ID would be useful,  Ottinger said, “Without IDs, any person could theoretically gain access to our building in the morning without someone knowing that they don’t belong.” Therefore, having IDs in the morning would be a great example of a time to wear them and a crucial part of prioritizing student safety. In a world where anything is possible, the staff of this high school has to be ready for anything, and they believe the IDs will make this job easier. Also, many teachers believe that using IDs will further prepare the students for college because many buildings on campus require the use of an ID to get in. 

Although students agree with the idea of using IDS for checking into the bathroom and other locations when roaming the halls, they do not think it needs to be worn not at all times of the school day. Makayla Kline, a junior at Kingsway, stated, “I think they should just be worn to the bathroom or if you’re entering or exiting the building.” The students also made the argument of the administration enforcing these efforts.  Alyana Riepen did not think IDs being worn would make students safer.  She said, “No because I don’t think most kids are going to wear their IDs anyway, so no I really don’t think so.”

For some, wearing identification may not bother them, but to others, IDs are seen as unnecessary. Some are worried about forgetting, being embarrassed and even matching them with their outfits. They understand why the administration would use them, but they don’t agree on wearing them every second of the day. Many kids in the district believe that wearing an ID at all times is absurd.  One student stated that wearing IDs is  “Never going to happen. Never going to work. It will not promote safety because someone can mix up someone bad with someone who simply forgot their ID when checking into the building.” 

In order to ensure the whole school can effectively work together, why not make a compromise? Instead of wearing an ID at all times of the day, what if the administration only made kids wear it around the hallways at lunchtime or when classes are in session and a student is out and about? This way staff can make sure the student belongs and keep our large school safe and sound. IDs worn inside a classroom in which the teacher and other students know them do not seem necessary.