The Dothan City School Board approved the recommendation of Superintendent Dr. Sam Nichols and the school uniform committee Monday night.

The vote was 6-1, with Gayla White as the only opposition.

"It's unfortunate, but it's not the end of the world," said Northview freshman Rachel Logan.

Logan presented School Board Chairman Dr. Steve Stokes with a 72-name petition against instituting uniforms.

"We only get like three kinds of pants," Logan added. "Most of my friends wear jeans, and we can't wear that. None of my friends wear polos, and we have to wear those."

After leaders of the school uniform committee gave their presentation the floor was opened up for anyone to speak. Many in attendance said they were against uniforms but most who spoke out, were for the change.

"We always try to provide real-life skills to students," Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce President Matt Parker said. "Well the reality is 75% of your businesses out there have some form of a dress code."

Board member Gayla White recommended two changes to the proposed document.

One was adding two additional colors for non- high school students and one extra color for each high school.

That means students living in the Northview cluster can wear white, navy, maroon and gold-colored shirts. Dothan High cluster students can wear white, navy, red and black colored shirts that are approved in the policy.

White also recommended that females shirts not be required to be tucked in. Her reasoning was that women's clothing was not made in a way to make that realistic.

"Little girls and the self-esteem issues they go through, being too big being too small, the pre-teen and teen years are pretty tough," Gayla White said. "The shirts are not made the way this particular uniform policy addresses it."

White's second proposal to amend to the document did not pass.

At least two members of the Board, including its newest Franklin Jones, questioned the composition of the uniform committee. Superintendent Dr. Sam Nichols disagrees.

"I think we had a representative group on the committee," Dr. Nichols said. "We didn't do surveys, but there aren't a lot of school systems that do surveys. I think we heard from "Yes we can," the initaitive there, that we had issues with student appearance and I think this will go a long way in addressing those concerns."

Here is a look at the new School Uniform Policy with the amendments in place:

TOPS FOR MALES AND FEMALES

Solid white, navy blue all students plus red and black (For DHS cluster), maroon and gold (For NHS cluster), button front oxford, polo, turtleneck, shirts/blouses with sleeves (long sleeves or short sleeves)

A small unobtrusive logo that can be covered with a quarter is acceptable.

All tops must be tucked in as part of the uniform. (K-lst, preferred but optional)

Undershirts must be solid white or navy with no wording or pictures.

BOTTOMS

Males: Khaki or navy blue pants or shorts. Shorts must be no more than two inches above the knee and no more than two inches below the knee. Cargo pants or pants with pockets below the hip line are unacceptable, (corduroy fabric permitted)

Females: Khaki or navy blue pants, shorts, shorts, capris, skirts, or jumpers (corduroy fabric permitted)

All pants, shorts, shorts, and capris must be secured at the waist and cannot “sag”.

Shorts, shorts, skirts, and jumpers must be no more than two (2) inches above the knee in the front and back. Two inches above the knee or longer is the rule.

Blouses or shirts must be worn with jumpers.

Belts must be worn with pants and shorts that have belt loops.

Belts are optional for students in grades K-lst.

Cargo pants or pants with pockets below the hip line are unacceptable.

KHAKI IS DEFINED AS LIGHT TAN IN COLOR.

SHOES

Tennis shoes (sneakers) and fully enclosed shoes (loafers, boats shoes, oxfords, etc.)

All shoe straps must be strapped.

All laces must be tied and the same color.

style and color of shoes should be sensible and appropriate for school attire.

Socks and hosiery (to include tights) must be of the appropriate colors of black, white, brown, or navy blue
Heels-no more than 2 inches in height.

BELTS

Black, brown, navy, in the appropriate length, small to medium buckle.

OUTERWEAR

Coats, jackets, sweaters, sweater vests and sweatshirts are considered as outerwear and must be worn with a uniform shirt/blouse. Sweater vests must be white, navy, or for high” school students, red (DHS), or maroon (NHS), (pullover or cardigan style) with no logo, belt attached or hood. Sweatshirts must be white, navy, or for high school students, red) or maroon, with me collar of the top on the outside. Sweaters, sweater vests and] sweatshirts must not be oversized (bulky or baggy).

Outerwear of school - sponsored organizations is acceptable, (athletic jackets, band jackets, etc.)

NorthFace and Racer jackets are examples of just two types of approved jackets.

Uniform tops must be worn under all outerwear.

All outerwear should either button or zip from top to bottom.

ITEMS NOT ALLOWED TO BE WORN BY STUDENTS

Wind pants/sweatpants, velour pants and tops, over-sized clothing, excessively tight clothing,
overalls, belibottoms, unhemmed clothing, denim or
jean fabric, sleeveless tops, hooded sweatshirts, Overcoats, trench coats,bicycle shorts, leggings/stretch knit, or carpenter’s pants.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE STUDENT UNIFORM DRESS CODE

Students will be allowed to “dress up” for the following activities; however, if they do not participate in the “dress up” activity, the approved school uniform dress will be required.

School Picture Day and Spring Picture Day (All Schools)

Week of Dothan High School and Northview High School Homecoming Activities (theme Dress-Up Days)

JROTC Uniform Dress Days

Each school principal may periodically designate days or events (i.e. school picnic, field days, or spirit days) during which deviations from the approved uniform top will be permitted (uniform bottoms must still be worn) provided the principal determines that such exceptions will facilitate the event, promote school spirit, or otherwise serve an educational interest.

GENERAL INFORMATION

In addition to the uniform dress code requirements previously listed, the following guidelines will also apply.

1. All clothing must be properly fitted. Sagging and excessively tight clothing are prohibited.

2. Sandals, slides, spocs, Heelys or any variations of Heelys are not allowed.

3. Any article that draws undue attention or disrupts classes will not be allowed such as large jewelry.

4. Combs and picks are not to be worn in the hair.

5. Males and females are not allowed to wear hoods, sports headbands, or ear muffs inside the buildings. Bandanas and du-rags of any color are not to be worn on any part of the body nor carried in or tied on book bags, or other bags. -

6. Students who transfer from other school districts will be given five (5) days to come into compliance with the school uniform dress code.

7. A school or grade “spirit shirt” can be worn on designated Fridays with the approval’ of the principal. Uniform bottoms must still be worn.

8. Any student’s dress or personal appearance that the administration believes is disruptive and interferes with a safe and secure learning environment will be dealt with on an individual basis. School administrators will use their discretion to determine the appropriateness of students’ dress.