By CHARLES OWENS
TAZEWELL, Va. — Angry parents continued their attack Tuesday on a controversial standardized dress code proposal for students in Tazewell County.
“We live in America and have the freedom of choice,” Angie Whitt, one of a multitude of concerned parents who jammed the auditorium of Tazewell Middle School during the second of three public hearings planned on the dress code, said. “If I thought my child was going to have to wear a uniform, and if I lived near the border of another county, I would consider moving them to another county so they won’t have to wear a uniform.”
“That’s their right to choose what kind of clothes they want to wear,” Connie Bradley added. “These kids should have a right to say — I don’t want to wear a uniform.”
Marie Cox, another concerned parent, said she works at a uniform company.
“I’m speaking for all of the parents,” Cox said. “I know how much uniforms cost, and they are not cheap. Uniforms won’t take care of your problems in the school. You’ve got a dress code right now that’s not being enforced.”
“My son — the reason I’m here — he’s adamantly opposed to it,” James Thomas added.
Selena Stamp said uniforms aren’t necessary for rural Tazewell County.
“Children have rights,” Stamp said. “We do not live in a city. This is no where near a city. This is probably as country as country can get. I’ve never seen any types of gangs. I too think you really should enforce the dress code you already have.”
Michelle Alley, a parent with two daughters in the school system, said uniforms aren’t the answer.
“A uniform isn’t going to help us with our disciplinary problems,” Alley said. “It’s not going to help us with our test scores.”
“I just can’t imagine sending my child to school upset everyday,” Valerie Herd said. “There are a lot of children out there who are special needs kids. You need to think about them. It’s going to upset them just like it has upset me talking about it.”
“When I think about the dress code, the first thing I think of or that comes to my mind is prisoners,” Tina Pruitt added.
Bill Rasnick, a retired educator who worked more than 30 years as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent, asked those in attendance at the middle school who supported the dress code proposal to raise their hands. No one raised their hand.
“I think the whole thing is over already because I don’t know of anyone who is going to wear them if you do this,” Rasnick, also chairman of the county Board of Supervisors, said. “One lawmaker is planning to introduce legislation in the General Assembly requiring you to provide uniforms if you pass this.”
David Larimer, II, of Tazewell, asked the board to scrap the controversial plan.
“It’s been a waste of time,” Larimer said. “It needs to be dropped immediately, and if it’s not dropped immediately, it needs to be put in a file cabinet in the back of the central office.”
“What are you going to do if my child is kidnapped, and they are all dressed like that?” Julia Deskins asked. “How are you going to find my child?”
Although several parents asked the board members to abandon the plan Tuesday night, chairman Mike Dennis said it would be unfair for the board to not proceed with the third public hearing already advertised for Thursday at 7 p.m. at Richlands Middle School. Several other board members also commented that the residents of Richlands should be allowed to voice their opinions — either pro or con — for the proposal.
The standardized dress code proposal aims to promote school spirit, to improve student self-confidence and behavior and to enhance safety in the classroom. If adopted by the board, the proposal would begin at the elementary school level, and would later be phased in at the middle school and ultimately high school levels.
An earlier hearing at Graham Middle School drew a large crowd that spoke mainly in opposition to the dress code proposal.
— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com
