The Fayette Citizen-News Page
Wednesday, August 4, 1999
BOE adopts new dress code

Untucked, beltless OK; baggies out; trenchcoats are banned

By PAT NEWMAN
Staff Writer

“Come dressed to learn.” That's the message sent to parents and students Monday night by Fayette County school superintendent Dr. John DeCotis following approval of a dress code that allows shirts to remain untucked, minus belts.

“How will a dress code make schools safer? It says students are serious about learning,” DeCotis added. He explained that initial proposals made by the Safety Task Force included tucking in shirts and wearing belts to prevent contraband such as cigarettes and weapons from making their way into schools. Book bags will be allowed to and from school, but must be placed in lockers during class time. Additional lockers have been added at the high schools.

The board approved the revised recommendations unanimously, following a recap of the initiatives discussed at length by Safety Task Force coordinator Wayne Robinson, director of secondary school operations. “Our purpose was obvious; to provide the safest environment possible for our students,” Robinson said.

The task force focused on preventive strategies, fine-tuning a safety crisis plan and dress code, and coordinating operations with law enforcement and emergency medical personnel. Altogether, Robinson said he received about 250 e-mails, letters and calls from parents and students concerning the plan, with 90 percent pinpointing the dress code as a key element of their concerns.

“It's a shame that the dress code became the most important thing,” Robinson said.

Some of the ways administrators are working to make schools safer this year include providing all school personnel with photo identification badges, preparing emergency flip charts for every school to refer to in crisis, equipping schools with emergency kits plus recommending surveillance equipment such as digital cameras installed at entrances, and hand-held walkie talkies for teachers.

On the preventive side, more emphasis will be placed on teaching conflict resolution, identifying students early on who have problem behavior and developing peer mediation groups within the schools.

The dress code allows students to wear pants, shorts and slacks which are appropriate in size and fit and worn at the natural waistline. The items must be in good repair with no holes. For safety's sake, they must not touch the floor. Long trenchcoats are prohibited. Uniforms can be an option if agreed upon by each school. Faculty members may wear jeans at the discretion of their principals.

Board chairman Debbie Condon said she was pleased with the revised policy and noted that the staff had listened to public input and responded.

The biggest thing, the board agreed, is enforcing the dress code.

The board also approved changes to the student code of conduct, tightening the language in areas such as drug possession and paraphernalia so the rules can withstand legal challenges, and making the wording more concise and understandable, according to Robinson. The code also includes a definition and penalty for “bullying.”


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