Uniform Policy: School Board Makes Rules as They Go

Just before school started this year, we purchased several articles of clothing based on the color and style that was needed last year. However, this year there have apparently been changes to the uniform requirements WITHOUT any prior written notification to the parents or the students.

The issue of "pockets on the pant legs" as stated in the Uniform Policy is vague at best. ALL pants have pockets on the legs. I can only assume this policy is to prevent the wearing of cargo pants which could potentially provide storage space and concealment for forbidden or illegal items.

However, to incorporate pants with patch pockets (which could in no way be used in the same way cargo pants) into the "pockets on the pant legs" category is utterly absurd.

I ended up wasting money on several pairs of pants due to this change, with NO prior notification of a change in policy. There are not too many options for purchasing uniforms in the Savannah area, and with the current trend of clothing having these "patch pockets" it is extremely difficult to find uniforms that follow dress code AND that fit my children.

After learning this policy change on the first day of school, we had to go out and search for more clothes. We found pants that had the pockets in the correct place. However, I got a call from the school one morning saying that my child was being isolated since the fabric had lines in it. The lines were the same khaki color, just had a visible line. I have two issues with this situation.

First, isolating the child on the first offense is in direct contrast to the provisions given under the disciplinary guidelines within the policy.

Secondly, the pants the child was wearing are within the guidelines given in the policy. Nowhere in the outline does it forbid lines on the pant legs.

I could understand if the lines were a different color, but they were the SAME color. Again, this is utterly absurd.

I would like an answer to the following questions:

1. Why was my child isolated?

2. How were the pants my child was wearing in conflict with the dress code?

3. Why are patch pockets not allowed anymore?

4. Why were parents not notified that patch pockets were not allowed anymore?

I am very upset with the way things have transpired and I would like some answers. Also, I would like for the board to redefine the dress code to allow patch pockets or at least rewrite the policy to make it ABSOLUTELY clear what is acceptable and what is not acceptable.