Originally published Wednesday, June 9, 2010 

School uniforms and inconsistencies in enforcing school policies are the most prevalent issues within the Iberia Parish school system, at least that's the way some students see it.

After a three-month listening campaign and interviewing 370 students, teachers, administrators and parents, Little Zorah Baptist Church's Youth for Justice held a forum Tuesday to publicly address those issues.

Iberia Parish Assistant Superintendent of Schools Michael Judice and School Board President Elvin Pradia were on hand to discuss the issues brought forth by the youth panel. The panel included organizers Sarah Davis, Choicey Hill, Jordan Watson, Isiah Blanchard, Adam Blanchard and Chantrell Watson, whose ages range from 10 to 19. "Aware of the fact that our voices are not really being heard, we decided that now is the time to begin the process," Chantrell Watson said.

Panelists said their research shows the biggest problems with uniforms are the varying levels of enforcement from school to school and teacher to principal, the seemingly harsh punishments for wearing the wrong belt or socks and a lack of role models in teachers who sometimes dress inappropriately.

"The issue is not the uniforms themselves," Chantrell Watson said. "We understand we can't have everything we want, but what we are asking for is not unreasonable. We simply ask that the rules be more consistent and fair and that parents be more attentive to their children."

Hill told the story of a girl in her class, who arrived at school one week without a belt. The student had a note from her mother stating the family's dog chew ed the belt and the student would have a new one by the end of the week.

The student, however, was sent to the office repeatedly by different teachers for violating the dress code.

Other situations involved elementary school students who were sent to the office for wearing inappropriate socks and not being allowed to return to class until a parent could bring socks to school. Some students had to wait several hours before their parents could be reached.

Judice told the panel that each principal has some flexibility in enforcing the policy, but said incidents like the ones discussed reflect the potential need for adjustments to the dress code. The uniform policy was adopted roughly 10 years ago and has seen little change since, Judice said.

"We don't like to micromanage, but when I hear of issues like this it upsets me because that's certainly not what the policy is supposed to do," Judice said. "We preach just using good common sense, but it doesn't always happen. When these things do come up, it's my job to address them."

Judice said he has put together a committee of teachers and administrators to come up with possible changes that would address, among others, belts and socks, which have caused the most uniform offenders and complaints from parents and teachers.

"Changes will be made, but to focus on the positive, note that there are few violations when it comes to uniforms. Ninety to 95 percent of students are properly dressed," Judice said. "But some parents aren't as attentive as they should be, and we see children who are raising themselves. Principals are people, too, and they have many different personalities. Some are more lenient."

Principals from Johnston, Hopkins Street and North Street elementary schools stood during the meeting to offer their takes on uniforms and how the policy affects school life.

North Street Elementary Principal Terry Magar said at her school, being "hard-nosed" about uniform violations is not an option, as many students are at-risk and come from needy families.

"If a kid comes to school with pink socks on, I tell them they're not supposed to wear them and we go about our business," Magar said. "If I were consistent with our policy, these kids would be suspended and I won't suspend for uniforms."

Hopkins Street Elementary Principal Pamela Richardson said like other schools in poverty-stricken areas, the school keeps clothing on hand for students who may not have what they need.

"My concern is willful disobedience," said Johnston Elementary Principal Pamela Landry. "You say, ‘Son, put your shirt in your pants.' Then he walks down the hall and you hear another teacher have to tell him the same thing. But, yes, I am inconsistent with uniforms because even if the child's in sixth grade, it's still not his fault he doesn't have a belt."

Pradia said the School Board has been working on overhauling its discipline policy, which also will address some of the concerns raised. The board hopes to have the new policy approved by the end of the coming school year, he said.

After the forum, Davis said she thought the meeting was a positive first step, but added there will be many more of these to come.

Judice commended the students after the forum for what he called an "amazing effort" to ensure their voices were heard.

"This is something on students' minds, and we should not push them aside," Judice said. "Sometimes we should listen a little more to the students. Some of what they said could really impact our upcoming decisions on policy ... and parents, students, teachers and the community-at-large are all stakeholders. We all need to work together. I was proud to be a part of this."

Youth for Justice is a member of Congregations Organizing people for equality, or COPE, a church-based community organization that strives to improve quality of life for residents in Iberia and Lafayette parishes.

"We're here to facilitate a partnership between the children in our schools and the leaders within our schools to promote positive change," said the Rev. Shawn Watson. "That's what our youth group is about. We're not here to place blame. We're here to help. Our children's futures are at stake ... and we want to be a part of the process."