Danville District 118 School Board members heard from students, parents and administrators last night on the topic of whether changes should be made in the Uniform Standard of Dress Policy.
DHS senior Isaac Vogt reminded the board the cost of clothing is going up.
‘’As you get these Polos they will easily run twenty-plus dollars. Or you could get something at Goodwill, but if you do it shows that your family – and I hate to offend – has the potential to be below the poverty line. And that could be embarrassing to some children and is very easily being a target for bullying.’’
Ed Butler, a member of the ‘Three Kings of Peace’ and President of the Danville Branch of the NAACP, urged the board to adopt strict dress policies.
‘’It’s embarrassing when you go into the schools and see some of our girls dressed like they are going to a nightclub. Boys with the crack showing – and another boy touches him and a fight gets started,’’ said Butler.
Senior Molly Smith addressed the board in behalf of several Danville High students. She developed her own proposal and presented it to the board.
‘’All tops must have sleeves that extend past the curve of the shoulder. No tank tops, sleeveless, spaghetti strap, etcetera. Any color or pattern may be allowed. The neck of the shirt must not sink lower than approximately five inches past the collar bone. Pants and shorts must be single tone pants. No rips anywhere in the pants. And you also must not have chains, bandanas, markings or patterns. Shorts must extend one-inch past the fingertips – and no leggings, pajama pants or sweat pants,” said Smith as she outlined her proposal.
School Board President Bill Dobbles says the board continues to seek public comments on the dress code.
”I can tell you for sure that it’s important that we hear public comments because there has been no decision by the board on what the dress code – new or old – policy will be,” said Dobbles. He added that he expects the school board will act on a recommendation regarding dress by early or mid-June so that parents will know the requirements for the new school year.
