Recently, AHS has been making some shocking changes surrounding the wellbeing of the community. With the potential ban of cell phones on campus, alarms and lockings of doors, and enforcing student use of school-provided Chromebooks starting the 24-25 school year, AHS is seemingly turning into Alcatraz.

Alcatraz was one of the most secure prisons for the worst criminals known to mankind. On an island trapped inside of shark-infested and dirty waters, prisoners were trapped there until Alcatraz shut down in 1963 due to financial issues. Speaking of financial issues, with the new inclusion of school provided Chromebooks, each computer is $843.31 per computer. This change is being completely funded by AEF, however, there will be $30 replacements for students if something happens to a students’ Chromebook. The total cost of these Chromebooks could be up to $500,000. As the Aspen School District could lose up to $5.4 million per year because of state task force recommendations, thankfully AEF will be funding these not-so-relevant changes.

Another addition that could affect the school financially is the “pond” they have built located on the Beach. This construction took months and cost money that could have been used for almost anything else education-based; however, the new pond will just be used for drainage. Considering schools are made for educational purposes, and for the students, there really isn’t a valid reason for this drainage pond, it does nothing for students’ educational benefits.

Sarah Strassburger and Becky Oliver have been adamant about their desire for a ‘safer’ school environment. They have been working towards a goal of locking all doors inside and out. They want to lock the doors because unwanted people entering schools has become a massive issue in the United States, however, not only does this do basically nothing for our students’ safety, it motivates students to find new ways to sneak off campus.

Sophomore, Riddhi Udaseen, severely dislikes the closed-campus rules and wishes she could have more freedom in her final high school years.

“I just want to go to the ARC to eat lunch. It’s not like they have enough seats for every student in the commons,” Udaseen said.
Since the middle of December of 2023, students and staff have been anticipating the potential cell phone ban. While ex-superintendent, David Baugh, was seemingly very pushy for the ban of phones, we have no insights on Tharyn Mulberry’s thoughts (Baugh’s replacement.)

Some students, staff, and parents agree with the changes, but some think it is making the school more ‘prison-like.’

“I do genuinely think this school is becoming a prison, and the students are like prisoners,” Udaseen said. “They are literally locking us up like we’re in jail.”