by Wilton Johnson
HENDERSON (KYTX) - Parents of Henderson ISD students - take note. HISD already has standardized school uniforms through third grade. Now, they want to extend that through 8th grade. CBS 19's Wilton Johnson has more on how some parents are taking issue with the new proposed policy.
They say it is their call what their child wears and doesn't wear. They're so adamant they've circulated a petition to gain support before Tuesday night's meeting.
Mary Young has three kids in HISD schools and she says it's not the district's place to institute a standardized dress policy. "I feel it is a violation of my parental rights and constitutional rights under the first amendment."
She started a petition against the policy and has more than sixty signatures. She plans to present this petition to the school board before they make their decision Tuesday night.
"I feel I wanted to present the downside or cons of a standardized dress code."
But the school district says school uniforms are working.
"It has allowed students to be more focused."
When it asked parents what they thought about the idea, Northsiders were in favor 3 to 1 while Henderson Middle parents were 2 to 1 in favor. The idea failed at the high school level, so they dropped it there.
The district also says it has no problem paying for those students who can't afford it. HISD Education Foundation and local service clubs cover the $5,500 needed for those students.
"If parents applied for assistance for school uniforms, we went through the process and according to guidelines, they did qualify, they did receive standardized dress."
Young also points out the district is basing its policy on something not covered in Texas statutes.
"The school board is seeking protection of a uniform code for a standardized dress code."
That could be useful to a lawyer because if they do consider this a uniform issue, the Texas law allows for parents to opt out of the standardized dress. If it's considered a dress code, there is no opt-out.
If you'd like to see the petition, click here.
