At the April 11 meeting of the Franklin County Board of Education, the board passed an aggressively revised school clubs policy. Fifth district school board member Adam Tucker voted against the revised policy.
The board also discussed proposed revisions to the dress code policy with a view to making the policy more lenient.
The revision of the school clubs policy was prompted by the strong community reaction to the formation of a Gay Straight Alliance club at Franklin County High School in January of this year. The board’s review of the policy began in February.
Fourth district board member Chris Guess read from an email criticizing the board for its “violent attitude.”
“Members of the board have been targeted and threatened,” Guess said, “me in particular.” At past meetings, Guess questioned the legitimacy of the GSA club under the existing policy and school club guidelines.
Under the revised policy, the director of schools has final approval of all clubs following recommendation by school principals. The policy also defines and distinguishes between academic clubs which “serve as an extension of the school’s regular curriculum” and non-academic clubs which “the principal shall designate” as belonging to one of the following categories: service, honorary, interest, religious, political, and/or sports. Another major change requires a parent or guardian to give permission for a student to participate in a club.
The permission requirement “prevents me from supporting the policy,” Tucker said.
“Until the recent controversy, the policy existed unquestioned as an opt-out policy, as mandated by state law requiring schools to publish a list of clubs,” Tucker pointed out. Under the opt-out system, parents may refuse to allow their children to participate in a club, but permission to participate is not required, as in the opt-in system.
“The argument that an opt-in policy reduces legal risk is not supported,” Tucker said. “The schools are obligated to provide for the protection and safety of students regardless of whether parents have given permission for a student to participate in an activity.”
Tucker also stressed, “The first amendment right to freedom of expression applies to children, as well as adults. An opt-in policy enlists parents to limit student rights. An opt-out policy does not limit the rights of parents or students. I will vote against the policy for these reasons.”
The board passed the revised policy with Tucker casting the only nay vote.
Revisiting the April 4 working session discussion about the dress code, the board reviewed the revised policy presented by Director of Schools Amie Lonas.
At the working session, South Middle School student Paul McCray presented a petition from his classmates asking the board to allow students to wear shorts, mid-knee length, during warm weather.
Lonas consulted with school principals. The revised dress code allows shorts and also allows patterned shirts and tops. The current dress code says shirts, tops, pants and skirts must all be a solid color.
Board President Kevin Caroland from the 2nd district said he received one email objecting to students wearing shorts. On Caroland’s suggestion, Lonas will survey teachers on the shorts’ issue.
Tucker proposed patterned shorts, pants and skirts also be allowed. Lonas will add the question to the survey.
Tucker also proposed clarification of the provision allowing “logos on spirit wear.” Tucker asked if this referred only to sports-related logos or if other logos such as club insignia were allowed.
Lonas will consult with school principals about the current practice regarding spirit wear logos.
The board is also in the process of revising the attendance policy and alternative school drug testing policy. Lonas said, “legal review of the language” was still underway, as well as a review of the attendance and drug testing policies at other schools.
Lonas will present revised dress code, attendance and the alternative school drug testing policies for the board’s review at the Monday, May 2, working session.
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