Timmonsville High School students, parents, faculty to voice opinions on uniforms

TIMMONSVILLE — Timmonsville High School students, parents, and faculty and staff soon will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on school uniforms.

During Florence School District 4 Board of Trustees regular meeting Tuesday, Timmonsville High principal Dr. Dorothy McClam presented her findings of school uniforms for high school students.

McClam said the only county she was able to find that requires high school students to wear school uniforms is Jasper County Schools.

She also discussed several pros and cons of school uniforms, such as school safety and a loss of individuality for students.

McClam said she thinks school uniforms would be a good idea but would rather survey students, parents and staff for their opinions.

Brockington Elementary and Johnson Middle schools have implemented a school uniform policy.

Students attending Brockington wear a purple or red polo shirt with the student’s name and school mascot and khaki bottoms.

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

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

McClam will begin surveys in January.

Also during the meeting, the board approved first reading of 14 board policies, as well as a revision to the Timmonsville High School handbook.

All students involved in a fight at school or school-related activities will be subject to the following: forty-five days at the district’s alternative school for the first offense; 45 days at the district’s alternative
school for the second offense; and school expulsion for the third offense.

Before the change, students were given school suspensions.

Information on the district’s 2007-08 audit report also was presented at Tuesday’s meeting.