The Washington Parish School Board met in special session on the above date with the following members present: President Bringier H. Barker, Karl Bickham, Hayward Boone, Holly James, Susanne Jones, Harold Smith, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown and Freddie Jefferson. Absent: None.
Agenda Item #1 - Opening of meeting.
The meeting was called to order by President Barker. Invocation was given by Bruce Brown. President Barker welcomed all in attendance, including James Clark Thigpen, a student and member of the National Honor Society at Franklinton High School.
Agenda Item #2 - Consider a motion to approve the Goals 2000 Parish Plan and Implementation Grant.
Superintendent Coleman recognized William "Bill" Miller, Education Executive Administrator, Goals 2000, State Department of Education, and Gayle Neal, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Educational Support Programs, State Department of Education, who gave a brief overview of Goals 2000 Educate America Act and Consolidated Schools (Improving America's Schools Act).
Following discussion, and upon the recommendation of Superintendent Robert Coleman, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the Board approve the Goals 2000 Parish Plan and authorize Martha Sumrall, Technology Director/Grant Facilitator, the use this plan in requesting the Implementation Grant. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #3 - Discuss and take appropriate action concerning recommended dress code for the Washington Parish School System.
Following a brief review of the process used in drawing up the proposed policy, given by Anthony Triola, Supervisor, it was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Bruce Brown, that 3-j under Student Dress Code -Male, and 2-g under Student Dress Code - Female (Shorts are prohibited except in Physical Education classes, in school-sponsored athletic events, and in the primary and elementary schools) be deleted, and that the following be added to Male, 3-j: "Shorts must be worn in close proximity of knees, junior and senior high schools," and that the following be added to Female, 2-h: "Shorts must be worn in close proximity of knees, junior and senior high schools," and that this be on a oneyear trial basis. FOR: Hayward Boone, Holly James, Harold Smith, Bringier H. Barker, Richard N. Thomas, Bruce Brown and Freddie Jefferson. OPPOSED: Susanne Jones and Karl Bickham. Motion carried.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Hayward Boone, that the Student Dress Code Policy be adopted, with revisions, effective the beginning of the 1995/96 school year, as follows:
STUDENT DRESS CODE POLICY
DRESS AND PERSONAL GROOMING - Student dress and grooming is not to adversely affect the students participation in classes, school programs or other school related activities. Extremes in style and fit in student dress and extremes in style of grooming W411 not be permitted. School principals maintain the right to determine extremes in styles in dress and grooming and what is appropriate and suitable for school wear. No student shall wear, possess, use, distribute, display or sell any clothing, jewelry, emblem, blade, symbols, sign or other things which are evidence of membership affiliation in any gang. Policies regarding dress and grooming stress the importance of reducing distractions that inhibit learning and are
addressed as an attempt to enhance the learning environment.
Student Dress Code - Male:
1. Hair - Hair length must be of even distribution. The hair may not extend below the plane of the shoulder nor down upon the eyebrow in front; nor down below the earlobes. Hair must be clean, well-groomed and neat at all times. (Lines cut in the hair, mohawk cuts, extreme coloring of hair, "tails", braids or any other hairstyle which interferes with a student's performance or his classmate's is prohibited.)
2. Facial Hair - Male students are prohibited from wearing beards or goatees; sideburns may be worn to the base of the earlobe, but porkchop style is prohibited. Students may wear a neatly trimmed mustache, but handlebar styles are prohibited.
3. Clothing
a. Shirts must be buttoned except for the collar. Tank shirts and undershirts are not to be worn as outer garments. Any article of clothing with suggestive or vulgar symbols, political advertisements, words or advertisements of products or substances prohibited by the Washington Parish School Board or which may provoke or may tend to provoke violence or disruption in the school is prohibited.
b. No see-through or sheer shirts will be allowed, and no skin may show between the pants and shirt in any position.
c. Shirts designed to be worn inside of pants must be worn that way.
d. Belts are to be worn with pants that are designed for belts.
e. The waistband of all pants shall be located on the natural waistÂline of the student and be sized and zipped appropriately.
f. All caps, hats, skull caps and bandannas are banned from school campuses during regular school hours, except when a medical condition or religious belief so warrants.
g. Appropriate footwear must be worn to school (no shower shoes, flip flops or shoes without back straps).
h. If overalls or any facsimiles are worn, they must be worn with both straps over shoulders and buttoned.
i. Proper undergarments shall be worn under clothing at all times.
j. Shorts may be worn in grades K-12; however, in junior and senior high schools, shorts must be worn in close proximity of the knees.
k. Warmups and sweatpants are permissable only in the primary and elementary schools.
4. Jewelry
a. Earring(s) are not allowed by males as wearing apparel.
b. Medallions and heavy chains are prohibited.
5. Unless prescribed by a doctor, no dark eye-glasses may be worn inside school buildings.
Student Dress Code - Female:
1. Hair - Girls must wear their hair in a standard, acceptable style. Rair in rollers or curlers, excessive teasing, or hair arranged in a manner detrimental to the performance of normal educational activities will be prohibited. Hair must also be clean and not unusually colored. Sculptured hair styles that include pictures, symbols, letters, numbers, etc., will not be permitted.
2. Clothing
a. Any article of clothing with suggestive or vulgar symbols, political advertisements, words or advertisements of products or substances prohibited by the Washington Parish School Board, or which may tend to provoke violence or disruption in the school is prohibited.
b. No see-through or sheer shirts will be allowed, and no skin may show between the pants and shirt in any position.
c. All caps, hats, skull caps a nd bandannas are banned from school campuses during regular school hours, except when a medical condition or religious belief so warrants.
d. Appropriate footwear must be worn to school (no shower shoes, flip flops or shoes without back straps).
e. If overalls or any facsimiles are worn, they must be worn with both straps over shoulders and buttoned.
f. Proper undergarments shall be worn under clothing at all times.
g. Shorts may be worn in grades K-12; however, in junior and senior high schools, shorts must be worn in close proximity of the knees.
h. Mini skirts are not acceptable attire. All dresses, skirts, including split skirts, must be worn in close proximity of the knees.
i. Warmups and sweatpants are permissible only in the primary and elementary schools.
3. Unless prescribed by a doctor, no dark eye-glasses may be worn inside school buildings.
Roll Call Vote was as follows:
District I - Harold Smith FOR
District 2 - Karl Bickham AGAINST
District 3 - Bruce Brown FOR
District 4 - Richard N. Thomas FOR
District 5 - Hayward Boone FOR
District 6 - Susanne Jones FOR
District 7 - Holly James FOR
District 8 - Bringier H. Barker FOR
District 9 - Freddie Jefferson FOR
The vote being eight (8) FOR and one (1) AGAINST., the motion carried.
Agenda Item #4 - Appoint task force to evaluate and make recommendations on Washington Parish School Board Reduction in Force Policy for Support Personnel.
It was moved by Freddie Jefferson, seconded by Susanne Jones, that the following individuals be appointed to the task force to evaluate and make recommendations on the Washington Parish School Board Reduction in Force Policy for Support Personnel, as recommended by Superintendent Coleman: Freddie Jefferson, Chairperson, Harold Smith, Frank Green, Carl Merritt, Leland Lee, Ricky Payne, Jean Turner, Vernell Bickham, Seleria Jones, Joanna Bickham, Melodysee Peters and Jackie Varnado. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Receive report on individual school Progress Profiles.
Board members were given copies of a "School Report Card" for each parish school. Mary Jones, Supervisor of Elementary Instruction and Coordinator of Progress Profiles, "walked through" a K-12 school's report card, explaining the information given regarding school characteristics, student participation and testing.
Agenda Item #6 - Recognize Dr. Bobby Pierce and Anthony Triola for presentation of suggested Alternative Educational Program.
A draft of the Alternative Educational Program for the Washington Parish School System was presented to each board member. Dr. Pierce and Mr. Triola then briefly reviewed the policy and addressed questions from the Board. A proposed budget for this program will be presented at a later date.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Harold Smith, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
BRINGIER H. BARKER, PRESIDENT
ROBERT L. COLEMAN, SECRETARY