As we get closer to the end of the school year, it is once again time to schedule classes for next year. The longer we hold onto our schedule sheets, we hear more and more about what classes are the easiest, or the most fun, or the most helpful. Above all, there is a class that everyone wants to take: Study Hall.

The students at Elder High School are outraged because study hall is not on the list of classes for next year. To these students, study hall is the easiest class, the most fun class, and the most helpful class. Students are confused and upset by the removal of this class next year, and I have heard many students in the halls and at the lunch tables asking themselves and everyone else “Why would they get rid of study hall?” I’ve heard students call it a stupid move and question the thought behind it.

One student, Brody Kremm, is taking study hall right now. “I always use study hall to get my work done,” Kremm told me, “I don’t think I have had any homework to do at my house since we started the second semester.” Kremm is angry with the removal of study hall like the rest of us. He is going to be a senior next school year, and his strategy was to make his schedule as easy as possible.

Noah Siler is another student taking study hall right now. He is indifferent about the loss of study hall next year, “I’m bout’ to graduate and be out of here. Sucks for you guys though; looks like you can’t gamble anymore.” Siler will graduate this spring, but he empathizes with the returning students and thinks that the administration is making a mistake taking away study hall.

I spoke to administrator, Dr. Tucker about the removal. I was wondering about the process for removing a class and Tucker filled me in, “Either the teacher or I decide to no longer offer the elective. I usually talk to counselors about how many students requested the elective and if there is any reason to keep the elective that I am not aware of.” I told him that I enjoyed having a study hall during my day, and he shared his feelings about it, “I don’t have strong feelings about it. The teachers who monitor study hall often mention that students don’t use the time well. With the addition of flex time and 90 minute periods it seems that students have more time during the day to complete work.” From Tucker’s point of view, the pros heavily outweigh the cons for getting rid of study hall. He believe that the only con for getting rid of it is that elective classes will get more full. Some of his pros are that, “students take an additional class, less time is wasted during the day, and teachers are available for a duty other than monitoring study hall.”

There are lots of people who don’t use study hall wisely, but that is no good reason to take the privilege away from those who do. If the students don’t cause trouble, they should be able to continue to lighten their workload and ease up their schedule with study hall. Until study hall is reinstated, the students of Elder High School will continue to be angry and upset with the administration.