Hot Topic: Pitt County Schools Uniform Policy Revisions

It seems like this is neverending, but it's an important issue that parents and students alike need to adhere to. The less time we spend playing fashion police and the more we focus on the root of the school systems goals - ie. education, we'll be better off!

Pitt County Schools officials are hoping their latest decision regarding school uniforms will put to rest an ongoing debate about the system's policy.

The Board of Education on Monday night unanimously approved revisions to the school uniform and appearance policy that was implemented this year for all Pitt County schools.

Among the notable changes to the policy were adding black and navy blue collared shirts to the list of acceptable clothing at all schools in addition to the white and designated school colors and the allowance of "unfaded black or khaki jeans."

The board also provided more specific details about the types of outerwear that will be permitted in classrooms such as sweaters, sweatshirts.

Board of Education Chairwoman Mary Grace Bright said she believes the board's revisions reflect much of the public input during recent surveys and listening sessions. She said she is hopeful that everyone can now accept the policy and abide by it.

"We have done a lot of hard work on this uniform policy during the last year," Bright said. "We have listened well in our community, and just because we don't agree with everything doesn't mean we haven't listened. There is no way we can do everything people want us to do because they are often contradicting to each other. We now have approved this policy and tweaked it two times, and it is time for us to move on. It is time for our students to move on and time for our parents to move on."

Bright asked that parents be sure their kids are appropriately dressed so schools can spend less time worrying about the enforcement of the policy.

"We need to move forward because we have bigger fish to fry," Bright said. "We have budget issues. We have education issues. Let's focus on those things and not spend any more time on this."

Prior to the board's decision, it heard from two members of the public with opposing views on the policy.

Uriah Ward, a student and president of the Pitt County Students Against School Uniforms, asked board members to consider a compromise and provide the public information detailing the benefits of the uniform policy.

"I think we can find some common ground on this issue," Ward said.

Renee Darden, a parent, said she supported the policy and recommended that all other parents embrace it. Darden also requested statistics supporting how the policy has worked.

Other adjustments to the policy included requiring shirts with school-approved logos to have a collar and the banning of hoods on any sweaters or sweatshirts with school-approved logos. The new policy would prohibit down vests in the classroom.

Principal-approved school spirit wear, such as club or organizational jackets and letter jackets, would be allowed in the high schools if the changes are approved.

In other news from Monday's meeting, Superintendent Beverly Reep said she will join seven other superintendents from across the state in Raleigh today to meet with legislators and discuss the effects of state budget proposals on school systems.

She said legislators mentioned in their invitation that they were impressed with Pitt County being proactive during tough economic times.

The board also recognized seven employees who received this year's Above the Call of Duty Awards. This year's winners were: Rebecca Woolard of Bethel; Donna Alderman, South Central High; Pitt County Schools Media and Technology Coordinator Tim DeCresie; Paul Brieny, Creekside Elementary; Johann Bleicher of PORT Services; Rhys Potts, E.B. Aycock Middle; and Mary Cordova, a More at Four coordinator.