Parent group opposed to Cape schools dress code will speak before board vote

A committee of parents plans to highlight details of its own proposal for changing the dress code in Cape Girardeau public schools before the school board votes on a proposed policy Feb. 27.

The Dress Code Enforcement Committee sent the school board a request last week to speak during the portion of the meeting reserved for public comment. So far, the committee is the only group to reserve time.

School board president Stacy Kinder responded via email, accepting the request and advising the committee to send details of their proposal to board members before the meeting because of the limited time the committee will be allowed for a presentation.

Committee leader Eric Redinger wrote in his request that the committee believes its approach will be much easier to enforce and accept by parents and students.

Under the parent committee's proposal, students could not wear any clothing that would not completely cover the body and undergarments around the waist, even when reaching the arms over the head.

"I truly believe the Board of Education members should have insight to this approach to dress code before voting on the strict uniform policy," he wrote.

Redinger did not return a phone call Thursday. Redinger's wife Jennifer, who created the Facebook group Parents who want a voice regarding the uniform policy at CGPS, also did not return a phone call.

The committee consists of 12 parents, three of whom have PTO involvement in the district's elementary schools. The group met Jan. 24 at the Cape Girardeau Public Library and discussed writing a proposal to present to the school board.

A representative of the committee will be allowed three minutes to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting, Kinder said. A total of 30 minutes will be allotted for public comment on the dress code.

The time constraints apply to all board meetings and are meant to allow as many people as possible to speak.

"The board anticipates there will be a high number of people who want to speak on the dress code issue, so it must be firm in enforcing that policy so everyone will be allowed to speak," Kinder said Thursday.

Members of the public who wish to speak on the issue need to submit a request to speak at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, according to the board's policy. Spots will be first-come, first-served, Kinder said.

The proposed policy from the district's dress code committee, which will go before the board for a vote, would require students to wear a short- or long-sleeved collared shirt in any color that meets a certain length requirement, and khaki, black or navy pants, capri pants, shorts, skirts, skorts or jumpers that met a certain length requirement. T-shirts would be allowed under pullovers or zippered jackets. Belts would be required for fifth grade and up, and shirts would not need to be tucked in. Jeans would be allowed on school-designated "Spirit Days."

The school district administration will make a final recommendation on the proposed policy to the school board before the vote. School board members may amend the policy before a vote is taken.

eragan@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

301 N. Clark Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO