Arriving late to class at this Utah high school will cost you

Fines for tardiness upset some parents

A Utah high school is cracking down on students coming late to class -- by demanding they pay a fine for each tardy arrival.

And according to officials at Stansbury High School, the new policy is working as intended.

Principal Gailynn Warr told Aol.com that since school started a week ago, "we've handed out just warnings, no fines at all."

Repeat offenders, however, are fined $3. And the chronically late will be subject to a $5 fine for every late arrival. 

“What we're really trying to target is those periods between classes where really it's a choice," said Cody Reutzel, Stansbury High's assistant principal. "It's a personal decision of whether you're going to walk from class A to class B and be on time."

Not surprisingly, not all parents are onboard. Julie Rae, whose son attends Stansbury High School, told aol.com that she received an email explaining the new policy, but parents were never consulted before it took effect. 

“I think it's opening up a Pandora's Box," Rae said. "That's not going to fix the problem that they're facing."

Parent Brett Dennison, accused the local school board of a "money grab."

“I think the school board implemented this as part of a way to generate income," he said.

Warr said that's not the school's goal. Students who can’t pay their fines can stay for detention, and unpaid fines can be wiped out by being on time for every class for a few weeks. 

“Our goal is not to get money," Warr said. "It would be great if I didn't get any money. We just want kids in class."