Friday, April 24, 1998 | 10:02 a.m.
The Clark County School Board on Thursday changed the student dress code but left school day start times alone. Board members said they had a lot more to discuss before initiating a radical shift in the school day.
"While I feel strongly that the elementary school day should start earlier and the high school day should start later, I think it's obvious this item is going to take a lot more work and a whole lot more money," board member Judy Witt said.
Moments later, a controversy over tank tops and short skirts in schools ended quietly when the Board approved new rules that require shirts with sleeves three inches long and skirts and shorts that come within five inches of the knee.
A panel of students has been working with board members to compromise on a new dress code. The board began retooling the rules when some students and teachers said the district needed a clearer, more consistent policy.
Students had lobbied tank tops were appropriate warm weather garb. Teens also argued that hems five inches above the knee fall too low. None spoke on Thursday.
Board members approved the new policy 4-0 -- members Shirley Barber, Larry Mason, and Mary Beth Scow were absent -- even after agreeing with several parents that clothing makers did not accommodate the new rules.
"Somehow we need to get with the retailers," Witt said. She described a shopping trip with her daughter in which they found stores full of spaghetti strap shirts and short shorts.
"We never found, in the trendy stores, shorts that were long enough to meet our dress code. We ended up buying pants."
Board members promised to reconsider the policy if the new one doesn't work. Board president Susan Brager appealed to parents to send children to school dressed appropriately.
"I know parents intend to watch what their children wear, but some children actually take extra clothes with them when they leave in the morning," Brager said.
The potentially controversial issue of changing school day start times fizzled when Witt removed it from the agenda.
Witt said the board would have to further study bus schedules, student work schedules and extra-curricular activity schedules. District officials also say it would cost money to change school zone signs that list school times.
Witt has argued that high school should start later than 8 a.m. and that elementary schools should begin earlier than 9 a.m. Recent research studies say teens may be more awake later in the morning and younger children more alert at earlier hours.
Witt said it was with much "distress" that she pulled the item.
Brager invited parents and students to tell school board members what they think before the board eventually votes on the issue.
"Bear with us, we'll be working through this, there will be more input," Brager said.
Kathi Luongo, parent of a high school sophomore who works and plays volleyball, said she liked the school day as it is.
"My concern is the late hour with the high school," Luongo said. "She likes going in early and getting it over with and feeling like she has the rest of the day. And she does get tired in the afternoon."
Parent LuAnn Day said she supports a change.
"I have a real problem with saying that we should start the high school earlier so they can get a job," Day said. "Their education is their job right now."
Valley High School student Eva Romero said students work for money for everything from college to cars.
"I understand education comes first before a job," she said. "However, there are these students who need the money."
archive
