Coronado High principal proposes letting freshmen go off campus for lunch with conditions; board asks for policy rewrite

Coronado High School Principal Karen Molina asked the governing board to consider amending board policy BP 5112.5 (off-campus lunch) to permit ninth-graders to leave campus for lunch under defined conditions and accountability measures.

Why it matters: The proposal addresses student morale and class cohesion by reducing a perceived separation between freshmen and older students at lunchtime while balancing safety, parent notification and enforcement concerns.

What was proposed and discussed - Proposal: Principal Molina asked trustees to consider changing the policy so ninth-graders may leave campus for lunch under a privilege model consistent with older grades. She and her administrative team proposed an accountability rule: if freshmen accumulate three tardies to third period (the period immediately after lunch), the privilege would be revoked. Molina said the administrative team discussed tracking and enforcement and that students and staff considered a three-tardy threshold “fair.”

- Student testimony: Two freshmen who said they have complied with the existing on-campus rule—Anna Toms and Monica Laguna—spoke in favor of allowing freshmen the privilege. Toms said freshmen can feel “isolated” when older students leave campus; Laguna said leaving can provide a needed break and independence for some students. Both said they have stayed on campus all year.

- Enforcement, liability and logistics: Trustees and staff raised practical questions: parent consent and whether registration forms capture permission; how to verify which students have permission; whether a geographic radius should be added to policy to limit how far students may go off campus; and staffing or security resources for monitoring egress points. Superintendent Mueller and Deputy Superintendent Salamanca said strengthening parent notification in the registration process and clarifying liability would be part of any policy change.

Board direction and next steps: Staff recommended returning a revised board policy for first reading (planned for the June board meeting) that would incorporate suggestions raised at the discussion: clearer liability language, parent-notification/consent considerations, and an accountability mechanism tied to tardies. Principal Molina volunteered to consult with her student advisory group and staff and to pilot or track related administrative practices. Trustees also urged renewed focus on freshman-year activities and club programming to encourage on-campus connection.

Ending: The board did not take action during the meeting; staff will draft a revised BP 5112.5 for first reading that incorporates the community, student and administrative feedback gathered at this meeting.