August 1, 2016
By Paragon News Director Paul Joseph –
By a unanimous vote of the members present, the Elk City School Board has dropped the requirement of school uniforms, officially changing its school dress code policy.
The special board meeting – that was called for 12 noon on Monday – opened with a brief statement from School Superintendent Rick Garrison regarding the “defined dress code,” commonly referred to as school uniforms.
Though never saying that total enrollment numbers are down because of the old school uniform policy, he has mentioned it as a possible factor making the connection that with overall enrollment down, income based upon enrollment is down.
School Board President Brandon Storm echoed Garrison’s sentiments and reiterated that he simply wants to do what’s best for the students and the district and sometimes that requires making difficult decisions.
Only one board member, Kirby McBroom was on the board eight years ago when the defined dress code was implemented. McBroom acknowledged that times change and so policies need to adjust.
In a prepared release handed out to media by Garrison following the meeting, the superintendent said that the new policy – which continues to define appropriate dress – was researched and developed by administrators across the district. In his prepared remarks and his release, Garrison followed up by reminding parents and students that administrators and teachers will be integral in carrying out the new dress code and making certain that students are dress accordingly.
And Garrison pointed out that parents and students will be relevant to making certain the new dress code is followed making sure that students are dressed according to the new code.
The only school board member unable to make the meeting was Darrin Schmidt.
The first day of school is Wednesday, August 17.
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