- December 24, 2024
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Students are not complying with present rules, officials say.
Wayne Grant
News Editor
More stringent rules about dress are likely coming to Volusia County schools, but it won’t be until after a lot of input from parents, teachers and students. Also, any new code would be implemented not before the 2016-2017 school year and will begin with a pilot program at one or more schools.
The Volusia County School Board listened to a presentation of the history of dress codes in the county at their Aug. 11 meeting and gave direction to staff on the next step, which will be to develop surveys for public input.
Parents at open houses when schools start will likely hear about it.
“The one time of year we can cast a broad net is at open house,” said School Board Superintendent James Russell. “We will get their perspective. It’s only right to let parents know as soon as possible.”
The school system currently has what the members call a moderate dress code. The difficulty in enforcing this code has apparently led to the School Board to consider uniforms.
“That’s why we’re here today,” said Board Member Ida Wright. “The students are not complying.”
Linda Cuthbert said she had been to schools and seen pajama bottoms and low neck lines.
“Something must be done because of all the violations,” she said.
She also said codes should be extended to educators.
“Some of our teachers need to dress more professionally,” she said.
Advantages of uniforms
Gary Marks, area 1 superintendant, told the board it’s easier to enforce a code for uniforms than a broader dress code, because there is less room for interpretation.
“When it’s broad, you can look across a courtyard and see 30 violations,” he said.
Marks, along with Vickie Presley, Area 2 superintendant, and Nancy Wait, director for community information, explained to the board the difference in moderate, intermediate and strict uniform codes. For example, an intermediate uniform would be to require a polo shirt in a variety of colors. In a strict uniform, shirts would all be the same color.
Wright like the idea of the same color, saying it would be easy to glance at a crowd and find someone who didn’t belong. She also suggested a different color for different grades.
Wait said when dress codes were first introduced in Volusia County in the 2011-2012 school year, there were reports of less disruption in the schools.
Wait said there have been challenges, however, such as enforcing the mid-thigh rule for shorts.
Wright said clothing makers didn’t make that length for young girls.
Enforcement presents problems
Marks warned the board that enforcement would be difficult. He said in a school of 3,000 students, there might be 10%, or 300, who didn’t comply in the beginning. Administrators would have to remove them from class and they would miss instruction time.
Chairwoman Linda Costello said she was sorry they would miss class time, but that would be their own choice.
The board overall seemed to believe uniforms provide benefits.
“I just think there will be a sense of team,” said board member Melody Johnson. “I like the idea of having some pride. And the kids that can’t afford expensive clothes … suddenly they are equal.”
Costello asked Marks, Presley and Wait to provide some guidelines and suggestions for a pilot program.
The board will likely take up the matter again at their first meeting in September.
