In recent years, many high schools have done away with lockers as the use of technology increased.
The possibility of installing student lockers at some Tucson Unified schools was cause for debate at this week’s governing board meeting.
Lockers, or the lack of them, are not uniform across Tucson public schools. Some only have them for PE, some have old lockers they want removed and some don’t have any at all.
This week, the governing board considered installing new ones at middle and high schools, with the highest cost estimate nearing $7 million.
Some school staffers say they’re unnecessary, claiming students don’t use as many physical books anymore and they’re just a place for students to store drugs or alcohol. Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo disagrees.
“We’ve been lockerless now at most of our schools for a long time. I certainly have not seen a slow down of contraband coming into schools," Trujillo said.
He says there are still students carrying a lot of books and athletes carrying large bags.
The board decided to survey students to find out what they want before proceeding.
