Although the Board of Education modified the dress code, Newton-Conover City Schools will not have a standard code of dress for elementary schools.
The proposed dress code would have required students to wear polo-style or button-down shirts that were tucked in, and pants, capris, shorts, skorts jumpers or skirts. Denim, corduroy and cargo pants would have been prohibited. Shoes were to be close-toed and have backs.
At Monday night’s meeting, three residents spoke out against the proposed policy. One, Jennifer Ingle, was a teacher at Newton-Conover High and the mother of a student at Thornton Elementary. She said her son has high-functioning autism and compared shirts with collars to spider webs — something he would want to brush off the moment they touched his skin.
Ingle said he and other children could have written into their individual education plans allowing alternative clothing.
“But it will make him different and could lead to bullying and teasing,” she said.
Jennifer Toney said she wanted to know the reason behind having a dress code in the elementary schools.
“Bullying will happen regardless of the clothing,” she said. “If that’s removed they will focus on something else.”
Toney also mentioned the high percentage of people in South Newton Elementary who are on free and reduced lunch, and that purchasing additional clothing will be another hardship for them. She called the unified dress code “another bandwagon” the board members were hopping on.
Board member Kyle Drum said he was the one who asked for the dress code at elementary schools to be looked at.
“When you take away the distraction of clothes, it increases productivity and efficiency. Students can express individualism through academics and leadership in the classroom,” he said. “We have talked about the concerns for kid who physically, neurologically can’t do this, and they’ll have an option.”
Jim Stockner used to teach at Newton-Conover Middle. He said that school has done a complete turn-around since the dress code was implemented there a few years ago.
“But that’s preteen,” Stockner said. “I don’t see little, bitty children, k-2, at least, wearing these outfits.”
The proposed elementary dress code had been modified from the middle school dress code so students could wear collared shirts of all colors. Instead of saying a belt must be worn, the dress code says “a belt must be worn if the garment has belt loops.”
Mark Murphy expressed some exasperation with the matter, saying the board had discussed it longer than when making a decision for the middle school, and that school was experiencing problems with its dress code.
“I don’t think this will alleviate any problems,” he said if the elementary dress code. “Until it’s written to address all the children in the school, I just don’t think this is something that can be approved.”
Board Chairman Scott Loudermelt admitted that he was wrong when he voted against the middle school dress code. But he said he did not think the elementary schools needed a standardized form of dress, saying there’s been no proof it will spur greater academic achievement or deter discipline problems.
“I do not want to add additional costs to families that already have economic difficulties,” Loudermelt said.
The board did not have a vote on the dress code. Drum made the motion to vote on it, and it died for lack of a second motion.
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