WESTERN PA. Pupils want action on dress code

Student council will conduct a survey to gauge student concern.
SHARON, Pa. -- Some pupils at the Sharon Middle-High School think others aren't following the district's dress code, and the high school student council has plans to do something about it.
Ray Davis, a student council member and a student representative to the school board, told the board Monday that student council intends to survey pupils to see how widespread the concern is over perceived violations of the dress code.
Dr. Donna DeBonis, superintendent, said the administration hasn't received any complaints about dress code violations.
However, that is a subject that is reviewed periodically, she said, noting that it is an area that an administrative review team is about to take another look at.
She said she'd like to see student council coordinate its action with the administrative review team.
DeBonis said she would also like to form pupil focus groups to look at the dress code and other issues.
Davis said student council thinks some kids are getting away with too much.
School spirit
The group also sees it as a threat to school spirit, he said, adding that student council plans to focus on selling clothing in its school store that bears school logos in an effort to boost that spirit.
The district did make what might be considered minor adjustments to the dress code before the start of classes in September.
The wearing of decorative contact lenses was banned as a classroom disruption.
Tinted or colored contact lenses are OK, but lenses decorated with things like cat's eyes, the American flag or other designs aren't allowed.
The dress code also banned low-cut tops for the first time this fall.
The school board took a serious look at the dress code in 1997, surveying parents on their feelings about school uniforms. The response was split nearly 50-50, and the school uniform idea was dropped.
However, changes made at that time, and still in effect, include banning of spandex, see-through clothing, bare midriffs and the sag or droop look. Exposed underwear and chains were also banned.
The issue came up again in 1999, and, though the suggestion of school uniforms came up again, it wasn't implemented.
Other business
In other business, the board voted 8-1 to approve a 3 percent annual raise for the office of Sharon tax collector for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
The current salary for that position is $27,594 a year, split between the school district, the city of Sharon and Mercer County. Two of the three must approve the pay increase before it goes into effect, and only the school board has acted so far.
School Director Kathy Hall cast the dissenting vote, saying she thinks the office pays a good wage and taxpayers are tired of paying more.
The job of tax collector is filled by the Sharon city treasurer who is paid $7,931 a year as treasurer. The city alone picks up that salary.