Parents Say Dress Code Policy Too Strict

On just day two of the 2008-2009 school year, 60 students at one high school in Greene County faced in-school suspension.

By: Arthur Mondale | WNCT
Published: August 27, 2008

School uniform policies have hit many schools across the east and schools are going to great lengths to enforce them.
On just day two of the 2008-2009 school year, 60 students at one high school in Greene County faced in-school suspension.
"I think it makes a difference for the moral of the child”, said Gloria Busch. I think you can learn better when you're not focused on clothes.”
But what happens when you thought what you were buying was the dress code?
JC Chavis sent his son, Greene Central high freshman Eric Sinclair to school, but he never made it to class, "The teacher asked the people--students stand up and let them check to see if they got any pockets so they sent everybody to the gym,” Eric said.
Since the start of the school year the school's biggest problems have been students wearing belts--which either have to be black or brown--and also khaki's made by Dickies which feature a cargo pocket.
The problem is, those are the exact pants Chavis bought his son and Eric ended up with 60 other students on in-house suspension for a uniform violation.
The districts uniform policy states in section 1e: No pants or shorts with pockets halfway down the legs including cargo pants.
School superintendent Patrick Miller says parents have had the policy since July 14th.
But Chavis says the punishment is too harsh for a simple mistake. A mistake that he says cost him $400.
"If you want it, provide it for us,” Chavis said. “Why do we have to go out and spend our money out of our pockets…get uniforms and then you complain [about] what we got."
Millers adds, "We are trying to send the message that this policy--we're serious and we're going to enforce this policy."
Miller says follow the dress code or face in-school suspension.

Miller tells Nine On Your Side the district offers a Clothing Closet, where students can wear hand-me-down uniforms which meet the policy until they can buy their own.
He also says the Kinston Goodwill Industries is offering tops and bottoms for $2-$3.