Forney ISD dress code: Parents sound off at school board meeting

FORNEY, Texas — Trustees for the Forney Independent School District bought an earful from mother and father Monday night time after the district launched a brand new dress code final week that bans hoodies, denim, clothes, skirts and/or ‘skorts’ for a lot of college students. 

It was the primary board meeting for the reason that district launched the brand new seven-page dress code. A petition began by incoming tenth grader Brooklynn Hollaman to vary or cast off the brand new dress code has already reached over 5,000 signatures. 

Per the district, no clothes with hoods is allowed any longer inside colleges. That consists of hoodies or jackets and coats with hoods. 

Dresses, skirts, and skorts are solely allowed for pre-k by means of fourth grade college students solely. 

In the assertion beneath, Forney ISD rationalized why the dress code was altering:

“The use of a school dress code is established to improve student self-esteem, bridge socio-economic differences among students, and promote positive behavior, thereby enhancing school safety and improving the learning environment.”

The district additionally mentioned in a video that the brand new dress code would assist train professionalism. 

Hollaman wore a dress to Monday’s meeting, addressing the board concerning the new dress code to show that many profitable girls put on clothes and skirts every day. 

“I don’t agree with it,” Hollaman mentioned. “Hopefully, they’ll change their mind, a lot of people are on my side right now. I think the dress code is unfair, and I’m wearing this dress tonight to contradict what the district is stating.” 

Forney Mayor Pro-Tem James Traylor spoke earlier than the board, as effectively. 

Traylor has a daughter throughout the district.

“I don’t think any man should be telling a woman what they should wear,” Traylor mentioned. “I work with women daily, and they wear dresses, skirts, and they’re professional.” 

“I think this is asinine,” Traylor mentioned. 

The district could make an exception for particular clothes if a dad or mum petitions for it. 

But one dad or mum within the public discussion board requested, “Do I really need to request permission for my girl to be a girl?” 

Other mother and father mentioned they felt blindsided. 

Christian Reed has a toddler throughout the district, as effectively. Reed informed WFAA that he fails to grasp how the brand new dress code will hold colleges secure and that now he has to buy an entire new wardrobe for school. 

“I think it’s putting a huge limit on kids and children in this district to express themselves,” Reed mentioned. “You know, we have to buy a set of clothes for school and then a set for everyday life. Most school districts aren’t doing this.” 

A district spokesperson informed WFAA that the dress code continues to be shifting ahead regardless of passionate pleas from mother and father to cast off it. 

Yet, the board does have time earlier than school begins to amend or repeal it. 

WFAA was prevented from talking with board members when this reporter tried to method them for remark.

Superintendent Dr. Justin Terry ignored WFAA’s audible request for remark whereas leaving the boardroom for a recess. 

“I think it needs to be changed. I think they need to repeal it,” Traylor mentioned.