At least two schools will keep uniform policies

Published 4:02 pm Thursday, April 21, 2011

The Chilton County Board of Education’s vote Tuesday against a county-wide uniform policy doesn’t mean there won’t be uniforms worn in county schools next academic year.

The board rejected a countywide policy, but School Superintendent Dave Hayden said the action has no bearing on schools that had already adopted their own policies.

“Everything is just like it was,” Hayden said. “The proposal was voted down, but it didn’t rescind anything.”

Isabella Principal Ricky Porter and Jemison Middle School Principal Mark Knight said their schools would come back to school in August with their uniform policies intact.

Jemison High School Principal Alan Thomspon could not be reached for comment.

As head of the fourth county school with a uniform policy, Maplesville Principal Maggie Hicks said the topic will be discussed and a decision made in the coming weeks.

Hicks said she understands the issue is important to students and parents but that “we have some more pressing concerns on our plate right now.”

Hicks said administrators have begun culling input from students and their parents.

Both Knight and Porter said the policies have been beneficial to their schools, at least from an administration standpoint.

“We have been very happy with the way things have gone this year,” Porter said.

Porter said there are no plans to extend the school’s policy, which covers grades 7-12, to elementary students.

Knight said the school has heard from parents unhappy with the uniform policy who are hoping the board’s decision would mean JMS would repeal it’s policy, but the administration plans to keep the policy in place.

“It’s been a good thing,” Knight said.