OUR TURN: MFISD needs to cut kids, parents slack on tardies

If the Marble Falls Independent School District is going to insist on starting classes earlier this year, then parents and caregivers also insist on something:Don’t be so fast with the tardies.

Some MFISD personnel are notorious for handing out tardies to children who are late by as little as a minute, treating a slightly delayed arrival as a deliberate affront to the teachers’ sense of order and authority in the classroom.

It’s a wonder there hasn’t been a parent uprising in return.

Now, district administrators have decided to start the school day earlier, by up to 10 or 15 minutes in some cases.

Their reasoning? To save money on bus routes by parking some of the fleet and not paying as much for fuel.

Fine.

Everybody loves to save money, especially the taxpayers footing the bills for all MFISD expenditures and salaries.

But if hardworking parents have to drag themselves and their children out of bed even earlier than before, the district has to play fair and do its part.

Superintendent Rob O’Connor must declare a grace period that forgives tardies unless they are excessive, flagrant or insubordinate, at least until everyone adjusts to the new school hours.

Parents out of their own pockets are already paying for school supplies, donating to the athletic department and volunteering to help out on campuses.

So principals, office workers and teachers, if the kids show up a little late because mom and dad tried to catch five extra minutes of snooze time so they wouldn’t pass out at work, just let it go.

Don’t talk about how tardies play into accountability standards, state requirements or any of that bureaucratic tomfoolery.

If a pupil is two minutes late getting to his or her desk, that should not be treated like a federal offense.

Most of the time, it’s just a kid who’s late. Let’s keep this in perspective.

In fact, it’s time to worry about the bigger picture, such as restoring MFISD’s state academic rankings, which have sagged to a new low — especially where the high school is concerned.

A child who shows up in the office just after the principal finishes the announcements is not the problem; there are deeper issues here. Much deeper than minor tardies.

So, Dr. O’Connor, tell your staff to go easy on the late slips.

At least until everybody gets used to the new times. When tardies pile up, children can face disciplinary action. In some cases this is warranted, but not always.

This community respects and admires the job its teachers do. Make no mistake, MFISD patrons appreciate educators’ hard work and dedication.

At the same time, MFISD personnel need to cut parents and caregivers a little slack when it comes to watching the clock.

Once again, be lenient on handing out the tardy slips during the first few weeks of school. That’s an easy lesson for everyone to follow.