Students and staff weigh in on the no pass restriction

By Emely Anaya Ortiz

Opinions Editor 

Late in January, entering the 2025 school year, Crete-Monee High School implemented a no-pass restriction policy. This new policy has raised concerns about safety from the administration and the loss of freedom and privileges from students.

Due to behavior from students in the hallways, the security officers have had to work over time making sure kids have a good reason to be out in the hallway. Photo taken by Avona Rodgers

“Yes, because my chemistry class has to stop the class to get security to take the kids who need to use the bathroom,” Senior Kemari Thomas said.

Due to the high school’s new pass restriction policy, many teachers are faced with the inconvenience of having to stop their lessons in order to get access to resources outside the classroom for their students’ needs.

“No freedoms were taken,” Officer Woodard said.

Woodard believes that regardless of the no-pass restriction policy put in place, the high school students are nevertheless allowed to express themselves, and their freedom remains intact.

“I’m pretty positive everyone doesn’t like it because the times when somebody really needs to use the bathroom, they aren’t allowed to go, and I keep seeing teachers calling for security to take kids to the bathroom, and they never come, so that’s annoying,” Sophomore Justin Howard said.

Howard explains that the no-pass restriction policy prevents high school students from using the restroom when needed. This highlights the lack of response from security, which can cause students and teachers to be frustrated. 

“Because of all the fights that had been happening, but it doesn’t really make sense because all the fights that occurred had happened during passing periods, so it feels like the school just wanted an excuse for us to not be able to leave class,” Junior Laila Anderson said.

Anderson argues that the high school appears to be holding the policy as an excuse to limit students from resources outside of class, which explains that the fights that had been occurring were during the school’s passing periods, indicating the pass restriction policy hasn’t been managing the true issue towards safety.

“I would say this school tries to be a little more strict on it, especially right after those fights happened, but other schools that I’ve worked at were not as strict on it,” Mr. Alexander said.

Chemistry teacher Mr. Alexander explains that, as a result of all the rising altercations, the high school has been firmer in helping discipline and raise students' standards compared to several other schools that are not as strict on their students.