Lebanon Enterprise, Sept. 21, 2011

Board to study school uniforms

Board members believe dress codes need to be more "clear cut"

By Stevie Lowery

The Marion County Board of Education unanimously approved the creation of a committee to study the possibility of implementing a district-wide school uniform policy during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday of last week.

Each school has its own dress code policy, but they vary. And, Marion County High School has had numerous issues regarding its dress code policy this year, which is why Marion County Superintendent Chuck Hamilton suggested that the board consider examining a district wide dress code/uniform policy.

Board member Mike Cecil has been a proponent of school uniforms since he ran for school board last year. At that time, he spoke about several ideas that he believed would improve the school district, one being voluntary random drug testing for students (which was implemented this school year). Another of his ideas was district-wide uniforms, which he said would be less expensive for parents. During last week's meeting, Cecil said he believed there would be "more positives than negatives" if the district had school uniforms.

Board member Ed Hacker said the dress code, district wide, needs to be more "clear cut."

"We even have teachers disagreeing on what is acceptable and not acceptable," he said.

However, board member DeLane Pinkston doesn't believe school uniforms are necessary.

 "I have never been convinced that dress codes or uniforms have any impact on education," he said.

The student dress/uniform code committee could prove otherwise once they begin reviewing and researching the issue, whish is one of the committee's charges. The committee will also be responsible for defining what exactly constitutes a "uniform" and making recommendations to the school board, which the board will eventually vote on.

The student dress/uniform code committee will include two board members, three teachers (from each level - elementary, middle and high school), three principals (from each level), three SBDM parent members (from each level), one parent member (elementary level), one central office administrator, three classified staff, three community representatives (not parents) and two students (from the middle and high school level).

FACILITIES

Superintendent Hamilton reported several maintenance and facilities issues to the board, including:

- Lebanon Middle School's roof needs an estimated $9,000 worth of repairs.

- Calvary Elementary School's roof needs an estimated $85,000 worth of repairs now, and possibly an additional $400,000 worth of roofing needs later in the spring.

- Marion County High School's restrooms are in need of renovations. There are also window and lighting efficiency improvements that need to be made in the future.

- Fans, similar to the ones in the Roby Dome at MCHS, are going to be installed in Glasscock Elementary School's gym at a cost of $18,000. The gym at GES is the only one in the district without airflow control.

- There are drainage issues at St. Charles Middle School. Hamilton plans to come back to the board with a possible solution and/or recommendation.

ADVANCEKENTUCKY

Superintendent Hamilton reported to the board that $14,000 has been awarded to Marion County High School students for successful completion of final Advanced Placement exams.

Hamilton said this is a great indication of how successful the Marion County school district has been as a participant in the AdvanceKy initiative, which began in 2007. AdvanceKy is aimed at expanding participation and success in AP courses.

MCHS now offers AP courses for all grade levels. The numbers of students enrolled in AP courses have steadily increased from 117 students in 2006, to an estimated 500 students in 2011-12.

PROJECT THE LEAD THE WAY

Assistant Superintendent Schlosser announced to the board that the district's Project Lead the Way program has been deemed a "model program" and the two PLTW instructors and five students have been invited to attend the upcoming STEM Conference (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) in Indianapolis, all-expenses paid.

"We're leading the way with Project Lead The Way," Schlosser said.

Project Lead the Way, is a program designed to encourage students with an interest in science, technology, engineering and math.

DONATION

The board accepted an anonymous $11,000 donation to be used for the Marion County High School soccer field sound system.