By CAL BEVERLY
Staff Writer

[Editor's note: Because of a production error by the Editor, the continuation of this story was left out of Wednesday's Citizen. This is the story in its entirety.]

Trench coats are out. Book bags are in — but only partly. And tuck in those blouses and shirts, pull up those baggy pants, put a belt on, and lose those holey jeans, students.

That's part of the Safety Task Force's “proposed draft” recommendation to the Fayette County Board of Education last Friday. The board will take public input in coming weeks and then vote on the new rules next month.

Also part of the “strategic plan” is a police officer in each middle school, no timetable given. J.C. Booth Middle School in Peachtree City currently has a pilot program in place, with one “resource officer” furnished by the Peachtree City Police Department.

The dress code and discipline rules are part of an overall package designed to shore up student safety in the wake of multiple school shootings in recent years.

“You will be treated as you are dressed,” Wayne Robinson, director of secondary school operations, told the board, quoting educator Harry Wong.

The proposals envision consistent dress and discipline guidelines for all schools in the system, Robinson said. Target date to enforce the dress code rules is Sept. 7, three weeks after school begins. That's to give teachers time to emphasize the new rules to all students before the deadline. Trench coats are banned immediately for safety reasons.

The book bag restrictions will go into effect “as soon as lockers or appropriate locations are assigned,” according to the task force draft.

“The dress code will work only if teachers support it and let administrators know [of lapses],” member Connie Hale said. “Some teachers will watch and some just won't bother.”

Robinson assured the board that all teachers will be required to enforce the final version of the rules.

“They've been very reasonable in their approach,” Superintendent Dr. John DeCotis said of the task force. “I don't think they've gone too far. It leaves the door open to exploring uniforms” and other conduct issues.

“We'll be able to readjust if we need to,” DeCotis said. “Now we need feedback from parents and the public.” The proposals are posted on the school system's web site at http://www.fcboe.org. A copy also is available for public inspection at the board office on West Stonewall Avenue in Fayetteville.

Uniforms are off the front burner, according to the recommendations. “Each school can explore the feasibility of school uniforms within their own school communities,” the draft proposal says. Only Brook Elementary now has a uniform policy, and it's voluntary. Parents who don't want their kids in uniforms don't have to get them.

Already funded for the coming school year are photo identification badges for all system personnel.

Also certain to be in place by October are multiple flip charts in every school containing checklists to be following for a variety of emergency situations, including armed intruders and violent weather.

Each school will be equipped with an emergency kit and supplies, renewed annually, Robinson said. Each school also will get portable and base radios that tie in to police and emergency frequencies, Robinson said.

Among the proposals, the task force recommended the following:

• Consistent enforcement of the dress code in all schools.

• Students must wear pants, shorts and slacks “of the appropriate size” pulled up to their natural waist levels, with no holes, patches or fraying. Pants can't touch the floor.

• All shirts and blouses must be tucked in.

• Pants with belt loops must have a visible belt.

• Trench coats are prohibited.

• Book bags will be restricted. ”At the beginning of the school day, all book bags will be placed in lockers or designated areas. Students may pick up their book bags at the end of the school day.”

• Faculty members will have a dress code for “appropriate and professional attire.” Jeans are prohibited for teachers.

In a dialogue between Robinson and board member Mickey Littlefield, some potentially contentious issues were aired.

“Will the clothing have to be sex appropriate?” Littlefield quizzed Robinson.

“The principal has the right to decide if the clothing is disruptive,” Robinson said. The issue is not specifically addressed in the dress code, he noted.

Littlefield: “Is piercing allowed?”

Robinson: “All the schools will be doing the same. Piercing is not mentioned” in the code.

Littlefield: “Bandannas?”

Robinson: “Prohibited. They fall under gang attire.”

Robinson noted that piercing and tattoos are addressed under another set of rules already in effect.

“There will be some challenges,” Robinson said. “But if we save just one student, this will be worth it.”

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