The closed campus rule for Alliance High School freshman was rescinded by the APS Board of Education Monday night.

The closed campus was implemented last summer at the request of former AHS Principal Pat Jones, who sited safety issues, impact on the school lunch program, and after lunch tardiness.    However, administrators offering input at Monday’s meeting and in past board meetings could see no educational advantages to closing the campus to any student, regardless of age.

Supt. of Schools Dr. Troy Unzicker ran an online survey for two weeks seeking patron input on whether the closed campus should include sophomores.   Of 803 responses, 60% did not want a closed campus while 27% did and 13% did not care.

Several board members stated that administrators and teachers had difficulty in monitoring freshman activity during the lunch period, and it is believed several 9th-graders had left campus during that time.

Unzicker stated he had also received input from parents and grandparents who wanted their children or grandchildren to be able to come home for lunch and spend some family time together.

In other action, the board raised graduation requirements for incoming freshman (Class of 2018) and beyond from the current 240 credit hours to 260 hours. In and interview with KCOW Radio, Unzicker explained why.