School uniform code will go to public hearing

officials voted 3 to 2 in favor of allowing the student uniform code to go to a public hearing on May 4.The decision came after a total of an hour and a half of discussion between county officials and citizens, with 16 people from the community, on both sides of the issue, standing up to speak.

“We spend a lot of good academic time dealing with dress issues… We need to focus on teaching time,” said Mary Helen Wheeler, an art teacher at Westwood Middle School.  “That self expression is manifesting itself in rudeness and disrespect not only for children, for each other, but also for the adults who are there trying to make sure that they are successful in their education.  My school is trying to get uniforms for our children because we are focused on trying to maintain our A-status.”

Parents, school faculty and students ranging from elementary to high school came out to argue this issue, with the public remarks lasting about 45 minutes as each individual explained their judgment of the proposal.

“Let me be a kid for now,” said Richard Johnson, an area high school 11th-grader.  “Unfortunately – well, fortunately for us, unfortunately for you guys – at 16, 17, 18, this is how we express our creativity.  In our dress, in the way we come to school.  I don’t want to look like every other one of 2,000 kids that comes to school.”   

Board members listened to each citizen’s response, but most said they already had their own strong beliefs about the issue.

“I don’t think they ought to wear a uniform and I don’t think they ought to tuck their shirt in,” said board member Tina Pinkoson.  She and Eileen Roy voted against allowing the subject to reach a public hearing.

Board member Barbara Sharpe said she had been fighting for years to have school uniforms brought into schools and she believed that “what’s right isn’t always popular, and what’s popular isn’t always right,” but that it was up to the board to make the tough decisions they had been elected to make.

Those beliefs might involve some compromise if the proposal is to pass, however.  Specific issues such as colors, flip flops, piercings, tattoos and even applying the code to only certain grade levels were discussed. 

“I would have less objection to an elementary school uniform code than I would middle and high,” said board member Roy.  Pinkoson agreed and Sharpe also voiced her opinion that the uniform code was more important to her in the younger grades.

The current proposal would apply only during school hours, with an exception made to the Sidney Lanier Center, which serves students with intellectual disabilities.  It would require that students wear navy or white collared shirts, although school-sponsored T-shirts with crew necks would be acceptable.  Jeans without embroidery or other decoration would be allowed. Elementary school students would be required to wear closed-toe shoes, while middle and high school students would be allowed flip flops, sandals and other options.  Body piercings besides piercings in the ear would have to be removed or hidden, as well as tattoos and certain types of jewelry.  Each school’s advisory council would have the opportunity to institute stricter requirements.

The final decision would not take place until June 1, in the final meeting during which board members are scheduled to vote on the proposal.  The changes would take effect for the 2010-11 school year.