Editor’s Note: This is a part of the Big Sky Sun Journal’s 2026 April Fool’s Day coverage. This is meant to be purposeful, humorous misinformation. 

During a recent press conference with Big Sky Principal Jennifer Courtney and other administrators, the Big Sky Sun Journal was informed that there will be bag checks for tardy students beginning after spring break.

 Administrators described the recent increase in absences and tardies as “detrimental to our students’ learning process…” Courtney also spoke specifically about an increase in MIPs amongst Big Sky students. As a result, administrators are establishing this new bag check policy, which will be enforced by SRO Christian Cameron.

“We want to kill two birds with one stone. Hopefully removing a large amount of drugs from our community while also promoting students to be more on time will spark some real change,” said Cameron.

He also elaborated on the severity of the two situations.

“Over the last six months, arrests and tickets where Big Sky students were involved have increased by over 30%,” Cameron said. 

When asked what the correlation is between this and tardy students, he explained, “we began researching the correlation between these topics about four months ago, and many of the students cited have well above the average amount of absences and tardies in comparison to students who haven’t been cited.”

Although there is concern about potential targeting of certain students, the MCPS Board of Trustees has already approved of the new bag check policy, as of this week. 

To see the minutes of the board meeting and listen to the meeting recording, click here.