Scott City School Board's dress code meeting gets heated

There was a lot of soul searching in Scott City on Wednesday night -- about blue jeans and shirt lengths.

But after nearly three hours of often heated public discussion and a few concessions, the Scott City School Board came to terms with the district's unified dress code policy.

Board members worked over the details of what students will be allowed to wear to class in the 2011-2012 school year, when the policy takes effect. Before arriving at a consensus, however, the board heard plenty from many of the 70 community members, the majority of whom were staunchly opposed to the policy.

Despite admonishment that the board was not about to debate the merits of a dress code it approved last month, opponents expressed their concerns that the policy would be costly for cash-strapped families in the district and that it would stifle student expression. The rhetoric was passionate, often contentious.

"Let the kids be kids. Don't take another freedom away from any of us," said parent Toby Seabaugh, to an eruption of applause.

Scott City High School sophomore Moriah Davidson addressed the board in a skirt and heels.

"I like what I wear. I like my heels," she said. "It expresses who I am."

Chaundra Mason told board members she has four children in school and stacks of medical bills from her daughter's liver transplants.

"This mama works six to seven days a week, and I don't do laundry every day," she said. "I can't afford to go out and buy uniforms for four children."

The mood in the room turned particularly tense as the board discussed appropriate shirts.

"You're going to have kids teased if they have to tuck their shirts in," one parent said. That sparked a near shouting match between two men about the necessity of the shirt tuck.

"Simmer down, fellows," a police officer warned the men, moving between them in the back of the room.

Erin Venable, part of the 55-member Scott City Committee to Study Student Dress Codes, urged calm.

"We need to take a step back from the emotion this engenders and look at the facts. This is positive for our children," she said. She pointed to research showing the academic benefits of dress codes and policies on school uniforms, noting a decline in absenteeism and improvements in GPA and student self-perception.

The data on dress codes is mixed, however, with some studies showing negligible effects.

School board president Scott Amick, who kept the floor open to the public while moving through wardrobe deliberation, said the goal of the policy is to cut down on distractions and disciplinary action in the classroom.

"A lot of thought was given on this topic. It wasn't something that was done haphazardly," Amick said of the policy. He said a dress code that defines what students must wear, as opposed to the existing policy of what they can't wear, will make life easier on everybody -- students, teachers, principals and parents.

But some parents argued the more stringent dress code is unnecessary, that the district hasn't adequately policed its existing policy. Why let a few students ruin things for everybody? they contended.

In the end, the board approved a conservative list of appropriate dress. Students will wear solid-colored shirts, although sweaters and vests will be allowed. Pants will be khaki, black or blue, dresses must be knee-length. No sweat pants, wind pants, pajama pants, allowed. Neither will headgear, unnatural hair color or flip-flops be allowed. Above all, clothing will be "sized to fit."

The dress code will allow basic blue jeans, a concession to the crowd. But the pants can't have embellishments or holes. The board will revisit denim after a full year, however.

Beth Cox, co-chairwoman of the dress code committee, said the group is looking into ways to communicate the policy and to provide financial support to families in need.

"As a community, we can all come together to find a way to clothe these children," she said.

mkittle@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

3000 Main St., Scott City, MO