Isn’t it so odd that you can forget a little thing of plastic with your name on it that is held around your neck and have to fork over money because you forgot it at the house?
Well, it’s the current ID system.
Ever since the 2025-2026 school year started, students have had issues with IDs due to the school cracking down on wearing the identification cards around your neck. It is mandatory. If you forget? It cost $5.00 to replace your ID.
This system was designed to improve security and ensure students can be identified quickly, but it has sparked debate among the student body. Recently, some students have proposed a new twist: what if students with As and Bs didn’t have to pay to replace their IDs?
The Current System
Currently, EHS students face a $5 replacement fee for lost or broken IDs. The rule is simple, but opinions vary.
“I think if you break it, then you should pay the $5 but if you lose it. I feel like it’s just irresponsible for the student to like, lose it and they can go find it, and if they can’t find it, then yes,” said junior Jaden Kermmoade.
“No, because I feel like you should give them a couple chances to bring it back and find it,” said junior Gabriela Frericks when she was asked if the fee was fair.
Frericks has paid $20 to replace her ID after forgetting it at home on many occasions.
The Proposal: Rewarding Good Grades
The idea behind the proposed system is simple. Students who maintain high grades shouldn’t be penalized for an occasional ID mishap. Those for the proposal argue it could help students who struggle financially and promote a reward-based system for academic achievement.
“We kids shouldn’t have to be liable for one day of missing their ID,” said Frericks.
Other students argue this could be a bad system that would not work out for all students. “Honestly, I think I don’t really know. Like, I feel like it’s kind of unfair for the students that don’t have good grades, if they have to pay the $5 and the other students don’t,” said Kermmoade.
Kermmoade has also had to replace her ID. It happened once because it broke.
Mixed Reactions
Overall, students are not a big fan of the current system of IDs and how to replace them, but are split if there should be something to replace that system. Some like the idea of the ‘If a student has good grades then they should get their ID for free’ and then there are some who do not like the idea.
The current system remains in place. In the meantime, don’t forget your IDs.
