School officials expected to approve student dress code

By Lynn Hotaling

The new rules, which would take effect in August, would limit student clothing choices. School officials say they want to be sure parents are aware of the changes before they purchase school clothes for next year.

"We wanted to do it now so parents and students will know what's acceptable when they're shopping for school clothes," Smoky Mountain High Principal Kenny Nicholson said.

The proposed dress code is more specific and detailed than the first draft, which was presented to school leaders last month. Under that plan the suitability of high school students' clothing was to be based on whether certain dress or appearance would be accepted in a workplace. The earlier draft elementary policy contained more of the specific rules that have been incorporated into the countywide policy that is now on the table.

"We wanted to make it specific and clear-cut to make it easier to enforce," Nicholson said. "I believe this policy or one close to it will pass."

The new policy would require both elementary and high school students to wear clothing that covers the shoulders and extends to mid-thigh without exposing bare skin. It would ban see-through, midriff, bareback or cutoff shirts and would require that shorts and skirts extend below the student's longest finger when in a normal stance.

In addition, the proposed policy would require shirts to be worn under athletic jerseys and would disallow clothing with inappropriate or suggestive slogans and pictures, including any depiction of drugs, alcohol or tobacco products.

Caps, hats or head coverings would not be allowed for elementary students but would be permitted for high school students at the discretion of individual teachers. Under the provisions of the new code, the wearing of large or heavy chains that could be used as weapons would be banned.

A local policy is necessary because North Carolina's General Assembly passed legislation last year that requires each school system in the state to establish a dress code, said Superintendent Mack McCary.

"(The proposed policy) is more or less a result of the legislation, though we have heard some parent complaints about the current lack of consistency and vagueness in the existing policy," McCary said.

School officials are seeking public input on the proposed dress code, McCary said. Those with comments or suggestions may call him at 586-2311.

Details of the proposed dress code were finalized during a school board session last Wednesday, May 15. Several other policy changes were also presented and tabled for possible action Tuesday.

Among those is a proposed policy on graduation requirements that gives specific guidelines about the role of the high school principal in determining what experiences may count toward fulfilling graduation conditions, McCary said.

A key component of the proposed graduation requirements policy is that any student who desires credit for independent study must make arrangements with the principal in advance in order for the project to be considered for course credit, the superintendent said.

Other policies expected to be considered May 28 include textbooks, Internet, school trips and school improvement plans.

Also May 15:

- School board members granted approval to the Diploma Plus program offered through Southwestern Community College that will allow qualifying students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously.

In personnel action, board members approved the employment of Vyanne Cogdill, fourth grade, Julie Ransick, third grade, and Tracey Bell, seventh-grade language arts, all at Fairview; and Daphne Hughes, biology, SMHS.

Retirements were approved for Shirley Fouts, sixth grade, and Penny Graham, second grade, both at Cullowhee Valley; and Christine Walker, speech, Smokey Mountain Elementary.

Chris Busch and Valerie Jalajas were approved as substitute teachers.

Back to Archive: 05/23/02.