Wednesday, July 3, 2024
School board members discussed the impact of changes to the dress code made last year to allow more flexibility on nose studs and boys facial hair during a meeting of the Gatesville Independent School District Board of Trustees on May 15.
The review of the policy items was made following what had been described as a "year-long trial run" allowing principals to evaluate the changes and offer their input to the board. High school and junior high administrators said the policy changes had been positive and that students were responsive to rules. While nose studs are allowed, nose rings are not, and students can remove them. For those who refuse, In School Suspension is an option. Administrators say there has not been any problem with facial hair violations.
"Making the adjustments has made kids more willing to comply (with the rules)," said Gatesville Junior High School Principal Suzy Penrod. "There used to be more of an argument — a standoff. Now, there really hasn't been a problem."
Board member Charles Alderson said he appreciated the efforts of staff in dealing with dress code issues.
"Thank you for everything y'all have done," he said. "To me, the dress code isn't what I thought I was voting for originally," he said. "To me, the issue is neatly trimmed (facial hair). One thing that stands out to me is the goatee. To have it scraggly is not neat to me. As far as I'm concerned, I'd like them to be clean-shaven. But I'm one of seven (board members)."
Calvin Ford said he had heard from one teacher about a student who did not take a nose ring out, and was told that if a teacher referred the student to the office, then In School Suspension was an option.
"I'm with Charles (Alderson)," said board member Jimmie Ferguson. "If we want neat and trimmed, do we have a definition or take a picture?"
"We didn't get that specific," Alderson said.
Board President Charles Ament said he had heard that principals were spending excessive time dealing with dress code issues before the changes were made.
"I heard from administrators that they were spending an inordinate amount of time measuring and figuring things out," Ament said. "This was a way to give them discretion." He said he heard mixed reports from parents about their views on the policy changes. "We've hired good administrators to take care of it."
"We have to consider what the community wants, too," Alderson said.
Ford said the students have larger issues to focus on.
"I think the kids have too much to worry about, and they are going to express themselves," he said. "Are the kids coming to school and doing their work? Some things we're going to like and some things we're not going to like."
Ferguson said his biggest concern about the policy was "consistency. I don't know how you reach that. One teacher may say it looks great and another wants to send a student to the office."
Board member Cheyenne Kizer agreed with Ford that there are more important issues to prioritize.
"There are bigger issues than a beard," she said. "Some are talking inappropriately and what they do. In the big picture for me, it's not a life or death situation. It comes down to is a nose stud or facial hair distracting from learning? No."
Superintendent Barrett Pollard said flexibility on these issues has benefitted administrators.
"We don't want it to be so taxing on the principals," he said. "That defeats the point."
"The only thing I ask is that they keep (facial hair) neat and trim," Alderson said.
