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Updated: 9:00 AM Jul 8, 2009
Freeport High School and Freeport Middle School Uniform Policy
Walton County School Board members vote yes to approve uniform policies for Freeport High School and Freeport Middle School. Posted: 9:00 AM Jul 8, 2009Reporter: Josh Gauntt Email Address: joshua.gauntt@wjhg.com Freeport School Uniform Controversy |
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Things got a little heated Tuesday night at the Walton County School Board meeting.
Board members addressed Freeport High School and Freeport Middle School's proposed uniform policy.
School officials mailed out order forms to students in mid-June saying the schools will be implementing a new uniform policy.
Students would be required to wear shirts with the school's logos on them.
But the school board has to approve it first.
The school board passed the uniform policy three to two after parents spoke out against it.
The parents told us they are in favor of a uniform policy but didn't think Freeport High School Principal Shirley Foster went about it the right way.
The parents said she sent the letters out without getting school board approval to implement a uniform policy.
Foster says the only reason she sent out the letters was to prepare students for the policy change which will take effect August 24th.
As it stands now, students will be required to purchase the five-dollar t-shirts and wear them during the school day.
"I think their ways of going about implementing them other than the way they deceived the parents. We got the letter it said send cash or money order. Here's your order form and it never told us what the actual dress policy was," Michele Reynolds, a concerned parent said.
"We knew that the handbook wasn't going to be approved until July. So it's a chance to give them some time that they wouldn't go ahead and buy some expensive clothes in June. Some people do some people don't. That was our reasoning giving them advanced notice," Foster, Freeport High School principal said.
There is another issue as well. The company that's selling the shirts "Coach's Corner" is ran allegedly by employees of the school district. Which is in violation of the school board's conflict of interest policy.
As a result, Superintendent Anderson will be reviewing the issue and will report her findings next Tuesday at a special meeting.
Also Freeport's principal Shirley Foster will try and come up with a plan to get the shirts at a much lower rate for the students.
Latest Comments
Enough, I read it again, part 2 refers to relatives of employees being able to quote/bid and reimbursements to employees. Does one of those apply? Or did you want me to read part 3 about the disciplinary action for violations? VIOLATION OF LOCAL, STATE, AND/OR FEDERAL LAWS 6.30 I. Anyone known to be violating a local, state, and/or federal law on School Board property or at a school function will be subject to referral for prosecution to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The referral process will be subject to Florida Statutes and School Board rules. Which one is pertinent to this situation in your mind? Relatives of employees are not selling shirts, and I dont think this is a reimbursement to an employee, but I can see where part 3 would apply,which is exactly my purpose in raising objections to the entire matter. The WCSB raised the conflict of interest issue, and agreed to investigate it. Coaches Corner website is no longer online advertising uniforms for sale. Wonder why?
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I am tired of trying to to justify to a few people why I believe the school administration has deceived the majority of parents on this issue. I am posting a website where all documents will be available for public viewing, along with links to all the resources for my legal justification of my opposition to the actions of the school administration. You do not have to agree with me. It is for the official bodies who govern these issues to determine if there has been any violations of policy or law. I have spoken with many parents, and I have yet to find one that wants this dress code, or knew that they had options beyond the mailed out order form. I did accomplish at least one thing, and that is the requirement of Ms Foster to implement a plan on how to provide shirts for those who can't afford them. She will be presenting this to the WCSB at a Special Mtg tomorrow. Had I not spoke up, this would not have been addressed and I suppose those students would have stayed home on Aug 24th.
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To Enough: My 11th grader was helping with the 8th grade field trip, and he heard it announced to them also. He went and asked a teacher about it afterwards, and the teacher knew nothing. I am glad you were informed through your student, who spoke with admin, but can you show me an announcement that was sent to all parents? One that said it was a "proposed policy" and detailed the specifics? I have an email from Ms Foster telling me I can go out in town and buy any shirt in school colors, and have airbrush, screened, or embroidered FHS or Bulldogs on it. Why is it school colors only when you buy it on your own somewhere else? If you click on the link on FHS website for clarification, you will again get that version about school colors, with no mention of team shirts, club shirts, etc. Why are they still posting conflicting info? And I do take issue with the idea that a policy that requires board approval at public meeting can be announced as "required" months before it is approved.
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Freeport School Uniform Controversy






