BONNIE COBLENTZ
Ten speakers and a full house showed up in polite and well-argued opposition to school uniforms, but the Starkville School District went against the apparent majority and voted unanimously on what they’re calling a dress code policy.
Despite previous split votes, all five board members agreed to require all students to wear what is commonly referred to as school uniforms. Pickett Wilson made the motion, which was seconded by Eddie Myles.
Before the vote, Carrie Copeland, Sarah and Martin Coleman, Jennifer Burgess, Jonita Thompson, Rosiland Ashford, Kate Fabel, Renee Matich, Sally Gray and Ralph Olivieri all addressed the board in opposition to uniforms. Major points of their remarks include:
Copeland — Thinks there are better ways to address school safety, such as closing campuses with fence and locking doors. The cost of uniforms will be a burden to many families. The district’s existing dress code has only been in place for four years, and that is not being followed closely.
Sarah Coleman — “When I put it all together, I don’t see that the benefits are outweighing the costs.” Many families, especially those with multiple children, use hand-me-downs and buy used clothing. Uniforms will be an unfair burden to them.
Martin Coleman — Is a high school counselor at a neighboring school district that requires uniforms. He keeps socks in his office to help students out of uniform not get in trouble. A true uniform policy must be black and white and leave no room for judgement calls. “If someone wanted to come on our campus, all they have to do is wear the perfect uniform.” And the focus on uniforms means “we’re really not talking about relevant things.”
Burgess — Look at other alternatives to improve school safety. Raised questions about style versus color and how uniforms will be useful for identification when students are wearing coats on the playground and before and after school. Suggested if the board wants to require uniforms, they start with one clothing item like a shirt and evaluate effectiveness in a year. “We have a dress code in place. I would like to see it enforced.”
Thompson — Found that buying just five pairs of pants each for her three boys would cost about $240, “something I do not have.” Shops all year for sales and off-season bargains to dress her boys cost-effectively. Uniforms will have to be bought all at once at full price.
Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.
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The whole board meeting was a joke. The board clearly had their decision made before any of the parents even presented their arguments. Pickett Wilson (who had ignored every parent to that point by obviously typing and reading papers in front of her) made a quick motion to approve the measure without even acknowledging the statements or valid concerns raised by those parents who spoke. Dr. Couey accused those parents opposed to uniforms of “not listening”, but never once provided any clarification as to what safety threats uniforms would counter. We are listening, but all we hear is a lot of spin.
For the board to then implement a new policy claiming a desire to encourage parental input is hypocritical at best and cruel at worst. We gave our input, by it’s actions the board made it crystal clear that they were uninterested in hearing it.
Sarah – why do you single out one board member when the vote was unanimous?
She singled herself out by ignoring every parent who spoke and then hurrying to push the measure through before any discussion could be made. Every other member of the board at least pretended to be interested in the statements made by parents. They made eye contact, nodded their heads, etc. In the end, it was clear they had their minds made up well ahead of time. This was evidenced by their lack of acknowledgment of the variety of arguments presented. But at least they put on a show for the public they represent.
Mrs. Wilson, however, typed on her computer, shuffled and read papers, and did not look up once to acknowledge even ONE of the 10 parents who expressed their concerns. Her show of disinterest was really something to see, and I think the community she “represents” have a right to know that she couldn’t even fake caring about the parents in her district whose opinions were contrary to her own.
Sarah, I’m embarrassed for the community with parents behaving as spoiled children when confronted with a policy that they, personally, do not agree with. The manner with which this matter was handled indicates a larger problem in Starkville where setting good examples of leadership with dignity and class for our children is regarded as secondary. This gives way to this phenomenon of “my child is my best friend” where we no longer enforce strict guidelines to produce better citizens, but we prefer to indulge them so as not to become the “bad mommies and daddies.” To whose best interest do we honestly seek reform? Ourselves or our children?
The antics are quite reminiscent of playground vendettas. I applaud Pickett Wilson and Supt. Couey for their ability to maintain dignity, class, and grace (each one holding one hell of a statewide reputation for being leaders in education that to this day you can take to your legislator and hear resounding praise for accomplishments).
May Starkville continue to be unafraid of evolving.
I believe the school board represents the best interests of the 1,000+ students who attend Starkville Pulbic Schools– not the demands of a few parents.
Legally, I believe they each have a fiduciary responsibility for the safety and welfare of EACH child in the district. Many adults have a hard time looking out for 1 child, less on 1,000+.
If a student were to be stabbed, shot, etc on a school campus, these men and women would be accountable. Lord forbid that should ever happen here, but if such a thing were to happen in Starkville, and no dress code was in place, those who are whining now would be the first to ask why there wasn’t a policy in place.
If we are concerned about someone being stabbed or shot then we need to get a metal detector. But the money for that would have to come out of the of the SSD budget, it can’t be shifted onto the backs of the parents. My guess is that it never happens. It’s easy to claim something is a necessity when you aren’t the one that has to pony up for it.
BoardtownDawg A.K.A. Pickett Wilson,
Well, this information is quite valuable now after a meeting where the only response we got from you was a few eye rolls. If by “a few parents” you mean a majority of parents and their children, I suggest you put on a uniform and go back to school. Parents of the students you claim to serve deserve more respect. The school board, which handles the biggest portion of the tax pie, has not listened to their shareholders and gone against their wishes using the unverified justification of “creating a safer environment.” And they’re asking us to pay for it while Mrs. Couey gets a raise. We have you figured out now. Too bad it won’t do squat.
BoardtownDawg – uniforms will prevent stabbings and shootings? Please enlighten me on that! I’m not sure where you received your information, there are 4,000 students in the Starkville School District. The “few parents” reference is also inaccurate. We gathered 1,000 signatures in little under 2 weeks opposing uniforms. At the Open Forum, there were over 200 parents there who were against uniforms.
Sophie-Anne – Parents have disagreed with this policy and have requested information on how uniforms will increase safety. No evidence has been presented by the SSD and the answer is something about it being a “layer” of security as part of a comprehensive safety plan (a plan that has never been presented to the public). Also, why would I care if these two people are leaders on a statewide level when they are not being educational leaders in their own community? I have talked to one of my legislators and I didn’t hear any praising.
I’m not sure how opposing uniforms says that my child is my best friend. What it says is that I am the parent and I don’t want the school taking away that right from me. Quite frankly, what I’ve heard from parents who are FOR the dress code policy is that they like it because it “stops the morning fights about what to wear”. Therefore, a uniform allows parents to be the “best friend” because the school takes on the role of the parent telling them what to wear. There are no fights about clothing in my household because I’m the parent.
ko… haha yeah, there are 1300 kids at SHS alone! someone didn’t get their facts straight lol
ko, to claim that the plan has not been presented to the public would be an inaccurate statement. A mere photograph from the CD displays Supt. Couey presenting multiple points of campus consolidation and discussion of a comprehensive safety plan via PowerPoint, if I remember correctly.
http://www.cdispatch.com/images/photos/l_urjxq2122010121724PM.tif
Why yes, I do remember correctly. It does. So I assume that what you are saying here is that she decided to make a PowerPoint, as a decoy, and divert the discussion to implementing what you insinuate is a violation of basic rights (which it’s not, not in the Mississippi nor United States Constitution). Perhaps if one were busy audibly scoffing and voicing dissatisfaction, as well as Tweeting and diddling with one’s Blackberry, during an Open Forum, one might have missed relevant points during what was a 20-30 minute presentation.
I believe you would care about the qualifications of your leaders if you cared about the policies being implemented. But then again, I also believed that adults could maintain decorum in the presence of their own children. I believed in a community founded upon trust and mutual respect. I now believe I was wrong.
ko, are you the one wearing the uniform? Are you opposing because you want to make darn sure your child is an individual, because it’s your “right” (vague and undocumented), or because you don’t want your child to be angry if you failed at getting the uniform banished from official policy? From what I heard of the discussion last night, the rest of us are confused.
The photograph is not a comprehensive safety plan – the photo says something about the uniform policy updates the comprehensive safety plan (the plan that has never been presented).
I did not say anything about a violation of basic rights and I don’t own a blackberry. I certainly did tweet and update facebook about the meeting during the meeting. Yes, I did scoff during the presentation when there was an attempt to discredit parents by “spinning” the facts.
Not sure why you are guessing about my motives, none of them are accurate guesses!
I’m fairly certain that whatever “reputation” Mrs. Couey and Pickett Wilson have in this state has been tarnished by the fact that Starkville now has two failing schools under their leadership. But, YMMV.
And I’ll agree with whoever said Ms. Couey has presented herself with dignity and grace despite heated opposition, I think she has been overall pretty respectful to those who have disagreed with her. Pickett Wilson, on the other hand, rolled her eyes way too many times last night for me to even think about describing her behavior as anything other than disgraceful.
Sarah,
Perhaps you need to address the MDE website at http://www.mde.k12.ms.us and view the MAARS data (just don’t get the professors on it- they seem to take data and run to Hades and back with it, and by the time it’s “announced” it says nothing of what the intent of the research actually is), and also view what qualifies a school for “at risk” under the new accountability model. While you’re at it, review the Language Arts and Mathematics frameworks for the Curriculum and Subject Area Testing. It could do you some good as a parent to see what is expected of your child versus what is being taught to your child. You may also notice that this seems to indicate a conflict between state curriculum and local instruction. And no, your certainty does not put validity into that claim of “tarnishing.” They are still quite respected.
I sincerely hope no one is offended by what I’m saying here. I only know how to speak honestly from my perspective as a parent and what I would be seeing from the other side of the argument.
I’m increasingly bored with this. It’s as if we have to hear the same people speak the same mundane thoughts in every forum ad infinitum, ad nauseum. At least the Clarion-Ledger and Jackson Free Press sites don’t seem to have a ban on practical knowledge and intelligent discussion. Until then, Starkville…
Sophie – Anne – I am very interested in the differences between the state curriculum and local instruction. Could you share on this? It seems you have some knowledge and would like to know more.
Thanks-
Frustrated-
Bad guess- I’m not Pickett Wilson, but thanks for the compliment. I know her and she is a good person with the best interests of our children in mind.
By the way- corporations have shareholders– school boards have stakeholders. Maybe someone else should put on a uniform and go back to school, too?
ko-
Is 4,000 not a larger number than 1,000? I’m pretty sure my assertion SSD has 1,000+ students is accurate.
Also, based upon your figures, I would counter if 1,000 people signed the petition a minimum of 3,000 did not– probably more considering my analysis is based on a conservative figure of 1 parent per household and not 2. Furthermore, how many of those signatures are from 1 household including students? How many households are represented by your petition?
My comments re: safety stem from previous posts on S-Now. There have been incidents of unauthorized people coming on campus. What would prevent a child who does not attend SSD to get on a bus and harm a student they are having a conflict with? A uniform would help teachers and bus drivers (especially subs) have an idea of who belongs and who does not. Granted, there is a chance that a non-ssd student could dress as one to accomplish the same task, but it does cause an obstacle for that person to overcome.
There is a reason, besides conformity, why the military wears uniforms– it helps them to identify the good guys from the bad in battle. It’s a common-sense approach that can be applied to a variety of other environments- including schools.
Finally, what does it teach the children when the adults act like children and dish out personal attacks and plot vengeance when they don’t get their way?
No one wants to take away anyone’s individuality, but some of the clothes I see kids around here wearing shouldn’t be worn in public in the first place, much less to school to get an education – that and safety are the issues right? Seems to me that you can pick up kaki pants any time and any where without it breaking the bank (use your money on that instead of the trashy “trendy” clothing). Also, if you get rid of the hoodies, that would help distinguish students from non-students.
Seems to me that this group of parents making all the noise are grandstanding and not truly interested in the safety and education of the kids. Using a little common sense and stop attacking everyone that doesn’t agree with you would probably get you a lot further.
Oh, I’m not anyone on the Board, just someone watching the parade go by.
Personal attacks are desperate acts by individuals who are unable to have their way when attempting to win an argument based on the merits of their position. If their position has no merit, they lose the argument. The only thing left to do is to attack individuals. Individuals of true character are not damaged by their attacks so their efforts are pointless.
Grow up. Get a life. Move on. Enough whinning already.
And I am not anyone on the Board either. Those people all have a life and would not expend effort on a blog.
If by “personal attacks” you are referring to my criticism of Mrs. Wilson at the board meeting, then all I have to say is that if a public servant has a problem with being publicly criticized for the public work they are doing, then they are in the wrong profession. Mrs. Wilson and even Mrs. Couey work for the parents of Starkville. We have every right to challenge them to explain the decisions they make that affect our children, to challenge those decisions themselves, and to expect that they listen to our concerns. Regardless of whether we agree or disagree.
My children will spend a large part of their life in the care of SSD. As their parent, it is my duty to keep an eye on their schools and it’s leadership, and to speak up when I think that the wrong decision is being or has been made.
We have only been in SSD since Mrs. Couey has been superintendent. When we were deciding which schools to put our children into, I was assured by friends in the community that, despite the reputation of Mississippi Schools on a National level, SSD was a great school district and had some of the best schools in the state. I enrolled my children here, and I have since watched our school district go from one of the best in the state to being on the brink of failing in the few years Mrs. Couey has been at the helm.
I’m not an educator and I’ll admit I don’t know about MAARS data or whatever else. However, I do read the school district report cards that come to my home, and I have noticed a steady downward trend. I help my children at home, I volunteer in their classrooms when my work schedule allows, I have actively helped with fundraising efforts by the SFPE. I am involved and I want to make SSD better in whatever ways I can.
I will not, however, sit back and follow along blindly with the implementation of policies which are not supported by data, impose financial burden on an already strapped community, and are full of contradictions. I won’t do it.
Sarah, there are other schools. Go to them. Don’t care for any of the local choices? Move away. Problem solved.
Get a life. Move on.
Wow, Janice – how long did it take you to come up with that snappy, response to Sarah? The fact that the taxpayers (that would be those with and without children) have sunk our money in the schools gives us all a right to speak our mind and not be told to leave town.
The point, Amazed, is that if one thinks the local public schools are that deplorable, why would anyone dare to send their children to an institution they judge to be so inferior. A community must provide public schools. A parent is not required to send their offspring to them.
Janice – don’t worry, our largest employer will find plenty of people who do not want to move here because of our public school system. They will get a life in another college town. Case closed.
Why go look for those who don’t want to move here?
If Geof Greenleaf said, “man is measured by the things that anger him,” what tiny little beings you are!