Girls benefit from dress code changes
By LESTER MURRAY news@kilgorenewsherald.com

Kilgore school adminstrators asked the school board to loosen dress code restrictions for girls.

Jody Clements, KISD superintendent, presented proposed changes to the dress code for the 2008/2009 school year to the KISD board of trustees Tuesday night. The dress code applies to students from fourth grade through high school.

One of the changes will say that "hair must be neat, clean and well groomed. It should not cover the eyes or be unnaturally painted/ colored/dyed (blue,green,etc.) or styled in any way which attracts undue attention: such as, spiked hair in excess of two inches in length, mohawks, hair carvings, distracting colors, etc.," said Clements.

The dress code governing shirts and blouses will also be modified. All shirts, blouses and dresses must still have sleeves - no tank tops or spaghetti straps - but a minimum sleeve-length of four inches will be eliminated. Boys must still tuck their shirts in but that rule will be relaxed for girls. Clothes with belt loops must be worn with a belt.

Clements explained to the board that rules In effect last year prohibited girls from wearing dresses should be considered appropriate for school.

Clements said as in all cases, the dress code must be enforced equally and that principals must use their discretion.

The board of trustees approved these changes to the guidelines which will go into effect at the beginning of the new school year.