LUDOWICI — The Long County Board of Education said no to school uniforms at its May 11 meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Waters had recommended uniforms to board members, on behalf of the schools after a survey by faculty and administrators showed that 77 percent were in favor of them.
However, despite the staff’s opinion, support from parents appeared to be split. At a forum on the issue last month, a survey was handed out. And parents voted against the issue by 53 percent (111), while 47 percent (99) were in favor.
Waters’ recommendation was met with comments from board members concerned there was not enough support from parents to implement the change.
After a brief discussion, the recommendation never was put into a motion by a board member, so the issue failed to pass.
Last month’s uniform policy forum also brought up the issue of special meetings and forums. That forum took place on April 29, which was on a Wednesday.
Board member Dempsey Golden brought the issue up, saying meetings should not be on Wednesdays, “unless it is a last resort.”
He said too many people attend church on Wednesdays to make it a good night for meetings. It can put those people in the situation of having to choose between church and the meeting.
Golden said he had received several concerns from people in the community.
Waters said speakers at the forum, who provided information, could not be at a meeting on any other day during that week. However, he also said the concern would be taken into consideration in the future, and efforts would be made to avoid Wednesday.
In other business, the BoE:
• Informed the superintendent that prior to him releasing any official press release, the information needed to be given to them so they would be aware of the information.
• Set a budget workshop for May 28.
• Selected Chairwoman Florence Baggs to attend the Georgia School Board Association as a delegate in Savannah on June 12 and 13.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Waters had recommended uniforms to board members, on behalf of the schools after a survey by faculty and administrators showed that 77 percent were in favor of them.
However, despite the staff’s opinion, support from parents appeared to be split. At a forum on the issue last month, a survey was handed out. And parents voted against the issue by 53 percent (111), while 47 percent (99) were in favor.
Waters’ recommendation was met with comments from board members concerned there was not enough support from parents to implement the change.
After a brief discussion, the recommendation never was put into a motion by a board member, so the issue failed to pass.
Last month’s uniform policy forum also brought up the issue of special meetings and forums. That forum took place on April 29, which was on a Wednesday.
Board member Dempsey Golden brought the issue up, saying meetings should not be on Wednesdays, “unless it is a last resort.”
He said too many people attend church on Wednesdays to make it a good night for meetings. It can put those people in the situation of having to choose between church and the meeting.
Golden said he had received several concerns from people in the community.
Waters said speakers at the forum, who provided information, could not be at a meeting on any other day during that week. However, he also said the concern would be taken into consideration in the future, and efforts would be made to avoid Wednesday.
In other business, the BoE:
• Informed the superintendent that prior to him releasing any official press release, the information needed to be given to them so they would be aware of the information.
• Set a budget workshop for May 28.
• Selected Chairwoman Florence Baggs to attend the Georgia School Board Association as a delegate in Savannah on June 12 and 13.