HOWARD — Appropriate attire for students was one of the key topics at a well-attended East Knox school board meeting Thursday night.
East Knox District citizen Dan Offineer read the school’s handbook about the student dress code stating, “it is the intent of the East Knox Local Board of Education to regulate student’s dress in such a manner that attire and personal appearance do not create a distraction to our students.”
A second grade boy wearing a dress was brought up by Offineer, who asked state Sen. Andrew Brenner if the board has any authority to stop the child from dressing as a girl, and not causing a distraction.
Offineer read aloud Breener’s response to his question saying, “I’m not an attorney so I’m not going to give legal advice. I would personally say that it is a distraction and the board has the broad authority to run their schools.”
Board President Derrick Steinmetz said the dress code is “something we need to look into” and “we have been banging our heads against the wall trying to figure out what to do.”
Board member Matt Schwartz echoed his colleague’s comments by saying “we’re working on it.”
Later on in the meeting, Schwartz spoke to the audience about the state of the education system.
“Our education system is broken,” Schwartz said. “It’s broken.”
“I hear the people. The people want their schools back.”
