North College Hill Schools Address Tardiness of 120 Students

In a concerning trend, an average of 120 high school students in the North College Hill City School District arrived late to school during the week of August 25-29, 2023. Superintendent Eugene Blalock Jr. publicly addressed the issue, emphasizing that there is “really no excuse whatsoever” for tardiness from students or parents. His comments were made in a video posted on the district’s Facebook page on September 3, 2023.

North College Hill High School opens its doors at 7:45 a.m., with students marked tardy starting at 8:15 a.m.. Blalock Jr. stated, “We will not and cannot blame the teachers or the administration for students coming to school late,” signaling a shift in responsibility towards students and their families.

Stricter Enforcement of Curfew

To combat the issue of tardiness, the district plans to enforce a school hours curfew that was originally established in 2012. This collaboration involved the North College Hill Police Department, local businesses, and city officials, aiming to improve student attendance. The curfew ordinance prohibits minors aged 6 to 18 from being in public places other than school between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on school days, with certain exceptions such as having a written excuse from school authorities or being accompanied by a parent.

Parents or guardians of minors who violate this curfew may face a minor misdemeanor charge. Local businesses have also agreed to deny service to students after 8 a.m. on school days to reinforce this policy. Blalock Jr. stressed the importance of punctuality, saying, “We need students to be in school. We need students to be on time. When they’re not in school, that is when they get caught up.”

Wider Context of Youth Violence Concerns

The focus on school attendance aligns with ongoing discussions about youth violence in the broader Cincinnati area. Recently, the Cincinnati City Council approved a stricter curfew for minors, which establishes a 9 p.m. curfew for specific areas, including Downtown and Over-the-Rhine. This curfew is effective every night year-round and is part of a wider initiative to enhance the safety of young people in the community.

Additionally, several downtown parks, including Smale Riverfront Park and Washington Park, will now close at 9 p.m. for individuals under 18 without a parent or guardian. These measures are being implemented as part of a collective effort by city officials and law enforcement to address the rising concerns surrounding youth safety and attendance in schools.

As the North College Hill City School District moves forward with these initiatives, the emphasis remains on improving student punctuality and overall attendance, reflecting a commitment to educational success and community welfare.