Florence School District 4 board discusses school uniform

Members of Florence School District 4’s Board of Trustees had a lengthy discussion on whether students at Brockington Elementary School could wear another color polo shirt as part of the school’s uniform.

Students attending Brockington receive one purple polo shirt with the student’s name and school mascot.

The school uniform includes a solid purple shirt, which is made up of mostly cotton, and khaki bottoms. No T-shirts will be allowed, and shirts must be tucked in at all times.

A small insignia no bigger than 1 inch can be worn on the shirt.

Board chairwoman Rose Bacot said purple shirts were hard to find and that her children wouldn’t attend school with only one purple shirt.

She said has received telephone calls from other parents about not being able to find enough purple shirts to wear to school.

Bacot requested the school pick a second color, one that is readily available, as part of the school’s uniform.

Board member Betty Dowling agreed with Bacot and suggested the school require students to either wear a purple or red shirt to school.

Dowling said Johnson Middle School students are allowed to wear two different color shirts and it’s only fair to allow elementary school students the same option.

Johnson Middle students wear a solid navy or white shirt, brown belt and khaki bottoms. A navy jacket also may be worn.

Both schools will adhere to the district’s policy when it comes to footwear, which includes no flip-flops or open-toed shoes.

Brockington Elementary principal Angela Jacobs said she received only three telephones concerning the school’s uniform policy and that the decision to have a second color shirt should have been made before the start of the school year.

Students return to classes Monday. Jacobs said the school is ordering more shirts for parents to purchase.

Bacot previously said she didn’t like the idea of the Brockington students only wearing purple shirts to school every day and suggested the board take action on the item Tuesday. No decision was made by press time.

For more details, visit the school’s Web site at http://www.florence4.k12.sc.us.