PTSA to address new ID policy at Oct. 17 meeting

The new ID policy will be discussed at the upcoming PTSA meeting on Tuesday Oct. 17. The meeting will give parents and students the opportunity to share their opinions on the new policy with the school administration.

The outpouring of parent comments on the PTSA listserve has suggested the need for such a forum. "Parents are very concerned [about the ID policy]," said PTSA co-president Deborah Stoll. "We would like concerns to be aired and as much as possible to be addressed," she said. "This is not just IDs, this is the security of kids at school."

Parents on the listserve have expressed confusion and concern over the disciplinary aspects of the new policy, especially over the issue of Saturday detentions. Questioning the feasibility and effectiveness of the policy and its punishments, they urge for more parental input. "Will the PTSA please consider asking the admin to change this draconian new policy?" wrote Blair parent Anne LoPiano.

While the co-presidents agree that the parents' opinions should be heard, they feel the PTSA should not have any final decision over the ID policy. "I don't think that it is up to the PTSA. I think the administration should make the decisions about security. They are [at Blair] every day and parents aren't," PTSA co-president David Ottalini said. "We can be consulted, but we shouldn't make the decision."

The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the media center.

Please click here for coverage of the ID policy and its history.