This year, the staff  launched a plan to reduce the number of tardy students each period throughout the school day.  To deal with this problem, the administrators initiated random tardy sweeps. Students who don’t make it to class on time will be locked out of classrooms, ‘swept’ up by administrators and assigned after school detention. Sounds extreme? Let’s take a look at the opinions of some of Southeast’s students and faculty.Most students and teachers agreed that tardy sweeps make students try harder to get to class faster. “What I’ve noticed is that the kids hurry more. Some even start to run when the warning bell goes off,” said counselor Cindy Sellon.

Some students have a more dramatic opinion about the sweeps. “It’s like a holocaust out there. Kids are banging on doors of the classroom so they don’t get caught in the sweep,” said freshman Shannon Barrientos.

Despite varying opinions, students are starting to understand the concept. The administration is trying to help classes run smoother without the interruption of so many students coming to class late. “As a whole, students are kind of dragging their feet with the idea, but after a while, people will get the idea,” said sophomore Paul Carrasco.