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Albert Lea High School is trying something new this school year that would allow students who meet a set of pre-determined criteria to leave the campus during lunches and study halls and then return to the building.

High School Principal Chris Dibble presented the new program, which he dubbed Senior Privilege, to the Albert Lea school board Monday during a work session.

Dibble said something similar had been done in the past but ceased when the current high school was built. The idea was brought up with the superintendent’s cabinet, where seniors asked that school staff let them try it out and be held accountable.

Dibble said Albert Lea High School is only one of two campuses in the Big Nine Conference who maintain a closed campus, aside from Winona.

Under the program, to qualify to be excused from the building at these times, students must attend 90% of their classes, maintain passing grades in all classes and maintain disciplinary expectations for at least 10 days. Parents or guardians would have to sign a release, and the students would have to sign out and in at a specified door each time.

Dibble said the staff already watches attendance closely and will continue to watch all of the criteria throughout the year.

Staff are also already stationed at the door where students will have to sign in and out of each time they leave during the school day, so it will require no additional staff.

We hope this new responsibility for the senior class will motivate them to keep their grades up, attend their classes and stay away from infractions like vaping that could bring some kind of disciplinary action.

While we’re sure there will be a few problems to deal with, as referenced by board member Neal Skaar, we think this program could be an opportunity for seniors to showcase or learn responsibility.

We hope it will also serve as a break for them from busy, stressful days in the classroom.