CD: County schools may rethink school uniform policy

BONNIE COBLENTZ

Oktibbeha County school board members postponed their decision whether to allow students out of uniform as a reward so they can decide if the district will continue with a school uniform policy.

The board met Monday night for its regular meeting, and Cynthia Ward was the only board member absent. The bulk of the meeting dealt with testing and school performance issues, and the uniform question came up in these discussions.

The issue came up when the board tabled the request to approve the West Oktibbeha County Elementary School’s performance contract. Principal Andrea Pastchal-Temple’s proposed contract would reward high performing students with incentives that include a trip to Six Flags Over Georgia and the option to not wear a uniform on certain days.

The board said the proposed incentive plan would allow students who score as proficient on the state tests in the spring to wear non-uniform but appropriate school clothes every other Friday during the coming school year. Those who score advanced on the state tests would be allowed out of uniform every Friday.

“If telling a kid you can wear whatever you want within reason if you score proficient or beyond — and we’re all about test scores — if that gets them to do it, then I have no problem with it,” Superintendent James Covington said.

He suggested the incentive could be tried for a time to see if it works.

“That alone is not going to do it,” Covington said, explaining that this incentive would not improve test scores but reward performance. “Give it a shot. If it doesn’t work or gets out of hand, we know how to get it back.”

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.