Sampson County Schools students returning to classrooms in just over a week will have a new set of dress code rules to contend with, including one that requires them to tuck in their shirts.

“Everything is basically the same,” said Susan Warren, student services coordinator for Sampson County Schools, “except that this year, the students will have to tuck their shirt tails in. If the clothing is made with a belt loop, a belt must be worn as well (in grades 6-12 only). In elementary schools, the discretion is left to the principals.”

After months of talk about initiating a “standardized” dress code by county Board of Education members, as well as visits to all schools in the system to get feedback from parents, the board ultimately decided to stick with the lighter version of the code for the 2009-10 school year.

“The main thing we found from those meetings is that the parents, as well as the principals and teachers, wanted us to enforce the policy more,” superintendent Dr. Ethan Lenker said at a committee meeting earlier this year.

That, Lenker said, is what they’re working to do.

Warren said the decision to have children tuck in their shirts was “well thought out” by the board and administrators. “The principals and teachers were in on the discussions,” she said. “And it was a thought-out plan with everyone in agreement ... Clinton City Schools has had this rule in place for a few years now and so far, it hasn’t been a problem.”

The “three-inch above the knee” rule will remain in effect this year, despite some questions by board member Telfair Simpson at a meeting last September.

Simpson said he has heard some concerns from middle school parents who are having a difficult time finding clothes to fit their growing children.

“They are not opposed to the rule, necessarily,” said Simpson, “but at middle school, with the growth spurts that some young ladies have, some of them have longer legs than others, the three-inch rule kind of impacts them more than others ...”

It is a concern that is still on some parents’ minds with just over a week left until school opens.

“My child is not as slim as other children,” said one parent of a middle schooler, who did not wish to be identified. “She is not going to be able to ‘tuck’ in all of her clothes because she will be made fun of. I can agree with the ‘no baggy pants’ rule and the others, I understand that and certainly agree for safety issues. But to have all shirts tucked in and all students? I just think that is a little extreme.”

However, during the informational meetings last year, most parents were in favor of adopting a stricter dress code.

When Lenker visited the Midway District, an audience member made the argument that a stricter or standardized dress code would take away a child’s individuality. Lenker, without missing a beat, answered, “If clothes are defining a child, they need to be a little deeper.” Much of the audience burst into applause after Lenker’s comment.

Either way, the new rules are in place and system officials will be watching closely to see how it works throughout the school year.

“I really don’t think there will be any problems,” said Union District parent Hope Johnson. “I think that getting a strict code in the system will help. I hope that next year the board will consider that standardized dress code. It will put more focus back on the books and not on the fashion.”

For full dress code information click on to www.sampson.k12.nc.us.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.