There will be changes to the student handbook for the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District, following a vote by the school board Wednesday. The board voted 5-2 in favor of changes to the handbook, particularly the dress code and wearing hats & hoodies in school. Board members Sarah Donsbach and Sarah Parks-Reese voted no.
There has been discussion not just about the language in the proposed handbook changes, but also the process used. In the past, a committee of “stakeholders,” comprised of staff, parents and students, recommended changes in the student handbook months before the start of the school year. These changes were proposed by board members outside that process.
Carolyn Porzuczek, Elementary Schools Vice President for the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association, urged board members to “value” the process for parents, staff and students to evaluate changes in the handbook language, a system that normally begins in January for the next school year. She voiced concerns about a changing dress code that would require teachers to have intimate conversations with students about their clothing, saying it “further erodes the trust” teachers have in their role as decision-makers.
Nataki Pettigrew, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer for HSE Schools, expressed concerns from district administrators, teachers, parents and students about the new policy on hoodies and hats, saying none of the stakeholders expressed concerns over the current policy, which allows teachers the autonomy to deal with the issue.
“We have experienced an entire year allowing students to wear hats and hoods without any disruption to the learning environment,” Pettigrew told board members. “Going back on this policy sends a confusing message to our students and our staff and will be a very difficult sell.”
Below is the student handbook language approved by the board Wednesday:
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For Student Dress in the Handbook for grade levels 5 – 12, the bolded language will be added:
oHamilton Southeastern Schools students are expected to maintain an appearance that is appropriate for school and conducive to the educational atmosphere. The appearance and dress of any student is the primary responsibility of both the student and the parent/guardian. HSE students are expected to maintain an appearance that is appropriate for school and conducive to the educational atmosphere. Whenever a school official considers a student’s appearance to be inappropriate for the educational environment, a conference will be held, and the student will be asked to make a modification.
oThe following are examples of clothing or items that are considered to be inappropriate or needing additional clarity:
▪Clothing and/or any adornment displaying messages or images not appropriate for school. Examples would be messages containing profanity; sexual innuendo; references to drugs, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or violence; or messages that incite hate towards other students or student groups.
▪Clothing that is designed to reveal buttocks, torso (the body apart from the head, neck, arms, and legs), midsection of the body, undergarments, or the lack of undergarments.
▪Heavy and/or long coats
▪Strapless tops or spaghetti-straps
▪Hats or hoodies: Hoods will be in the down position and hats will be off unless given permission by a staff member for that instructional period.
▪Any item that might cause a concern for student safety.
▪Blankets and pillows
▪Students are not permitted to carry signs, flags, or non-educational items that the school can reasonably forecast will substantially or materially disrupt the school environment.
oStudents who violate the dress code may face disciplinary action.
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The board will consider changes to the 2024-2025 student handbook in the areas of rest room conduct, weapons language, discipline and dress code.
Board member Tiffany Pascoe says she wants a discussion about school uniforms after the referendum vote later this year.
To access more details on the student handbook changes, use this link.