What Not to Wear: School board hears proposed new dress code

At their regular meeting on Monday, March 14, the NR-S school board members heard from student representative Amzi Meier, who proposed significant alterations to the school’s dress code.

Since first suggesting changes to the policy last month, Meier has been hard at work gathering feedback. He told board members that he conducted two anonymous surveys for students and faculty, and used the feedback to inform his proposal.

Then, as Meier set about constructing a new dress code policy, he consulted with superintendent Jill Louters and principals Natalie Becker and Avolt Baumbach. The result was a preliminary proposal presented at Monday’s meeting... to mixed reviews.

Meier began his presentation by reading a direct statement to board members.

“I am between the students who have felt wronged and the authority figures who make the rules,” began Meier. “I believe that students want the rules to be less strict. and I believe that the administration wants the rules to be reasonable, while also promoting a positive school environment.

“I am in the middle and I see the points of both sides,” continued Meier. “I want the students to be as free as possible while still dressing sensibly.”

Meier added that his proposal is only a draft, and that he brought it to Monday’s meeting with the intention of getting the board’s feedback.

The most significant change proposed by Meier was to eliminate the section of dress code regarding hats.

As it’s currently written, the hat policy reads, “Caps, hats, and head apparel will not be worn in the building except on Friday’s or days with New Rockford-Sheyenne Administration approval.”

Meier’s draft proposal removes that section entirely, suggesting instead that students can wear hats whenever and wherever they want. However, his proposal would also give school administration and faculty discretion to decide which hats, and other types of clothing, should be confiscated and/or warrant disciplinary action.

At the school board meeting in February, when removal of the hat policy was first discussed, Meier stated, “It’s never been a distraction to me and I doubt it would be a distraction to anyone else. ... It used to be that whenever you went inside it was respectful to take your hat off, and now I feel like it’s just not as big of a deal anymore.”

Changing the hat policy seemed to garner some initial approval from board members in February, with Alyson Myhre calling the rule “kind of archaic.” A month later, however, much more skepticism was expressed, especially after Meier continued to go over potential changes.

Meier marked some sections of the current dress code as “change considered,” including a section requiring the hem of a student’s top to cover their waistband with no skin or underwear visible. Another section that bans clothing such as fishnet material, tube tops and strapless tops is also marked as “change considered.”

These sections weren’t altered in the draft proposal Meier presented on Monday, but he told commissioners that they were marked as potential areas for change based on student feedback he received.

Meier added that he intends to have further discussions with the student body regarding those sections before presenting a proposal for a first reading next month.

Members of the board, however, didn’t wait to express skepticism of such changes. Mike Schaefer was the first, as he wasted no time beginning the board's comments by making a request of Meier.

“When you meet with the students to go over this again ... could you ask them what the benefits to their education would be if they’re dressing less modest?” asked Schaefer. “Or ... is it inhibiting their learning somehow being dressed so modest?”

Board member Patti Larson added her concern that students might try to hide their eyes with the brim of their hats while they text. Others expressed concern that changing the dress code whenever there’s a “fashion change” isn’t sustainable.

Meier acknowledged, and even shared, some of the concerns expressed by board members, who made it clear that they want the dress code to remain relatively conservative. However, the board was also impressed and appreciative of Meier’s work on the issue.

Meier intends to return to the board in April with an official proposal for the board’s consideration.

Also discussed at the March board meeting was mediation with East Central (EC).

School Board Vice President Mike Jacobson told members that East Central had carried a motion to designate EC Board President Jenna Helseth and board member Robert Toso to represent the EC board in mediation with NR-S.

Jacobson suggested that the NR-S board also designate two or three members to represent the school board in mediation with EC. Todd Allmaras, Patti Larson and Mike Schaefer all volunteered, and a motion was successfully carried to appoint them.

The motion carried by NR-S also recommends that Karen Klein of Fargo, a retired magistrate judge, serve as the mediator. A time and place for the mediation has not been scheduled, but the process will be open to the public once it’s announced.

Louters also announced that she’ll be stepping down from her position on the East Central board, and a motion was carried to appoint Principal Natalie Becker as her replacement.

Before adjourning, transportation options and preliminary budget information were discussed, and a superintendent’s evaluation was finalized. In a roll call vote, each board member approved an overall satisfactory rating for Superintendent Louters.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m.