CD: More than 100 join lawsuit over school uniform policy

TIM PRATT

STARKVILLE — A steady stream of parents and community members filed into the Starkville Sportsplex multi-purpose building Thursday night to join an appeal against the Starkville School District’s recent decision to implement a dress code policy beginning this fall.

The group, led by Booneville-based attorneys Daniel Tucker and Allison Worley, is seeking a temporary restraining order, a permanent injunction and other relief from the Starkville School District’s board of trustees and Superintendent Judy Couey. Along with Couey, board members Eddie Myles, Walter Taylor, Bill Weeks, Pickett Wilson and Keith Coble are named as defendants.

More than 100 people signed affidavits to join the appeal, which Tucker plans to file today in Oktibbeha County Circuit Court.

The appeal says that, following the Feb. 2 board of trustees meeting, the board determined requiring uniforms would be considered a fee, which would require the school district to issue hardship waivers, and that more than 60 percent of students in the SSD qualify for the free lunch program and would therefore qualify for a hardship waiver relating to the required uniforms. It also states the school board determined the district could not afford to clothe more than 60 percent of its student population and therefore could not impose a uniform requirement, so the SSD altered the uniform policy by changing the word “uniform” to “dress code.”

The appeal also alleges the board of trustees changed the wording from uniform to dress code to avoid financial obligation to those SSD students who would have qualified for a hardship waiver.

“The dress code, as adopted, is effectively a uniform policy requiring the purchase of a specific type of clothing …,” the appeal reads.

The board of trustees has stated safety concerns as one of its main reasons for adopting the dress code, but the appeal alleges the board’s decision came without “substantive evidence to show how a uniform dress code will improve safety and security in the Starkville School District.”

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: A day of Black and Gold: Starkville honors state champs

TIM PRATT

STARKVILLE — The sun was shining, temperatures were soaring and spirits were high on the streets of Starkville Thursday afternoon as the Starkville High School boys basketball team paraded through town in celebration of its recent state championship.

Hundreds of people lined the sidewalks as the parade made its way downtown and headed into the tree-covered Greensboro Street Historic District. The envoy then headed south on Louisville Street, crossed Highway 12 and came to an end at Starkville High School, for a rally.

Melissa Luckett stood along Main Street with her sons, Chris, 8, and Roman, 3, to show her support for the Yellowjackets, who defeated Meridian High School 57-51 Saturday to earn the Mississippi High School Activities Association 6A state title.

“I’m very, very proud of them,” Luckett said. “I hadn’t really followed the basketball team all year long, but I started following them recently and it’s really exciting.”

“I think it’s great for our town and great for those kids,” she added.

Starkville High School student Whitney Tice, 18, stood along Main Street with her mom, Charonda Summerville, to cheer on the team.

“I just came out here to support them because I can’t believe they won,” Tice said. “They are 6A state champions. I’m just proud of them.”

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: Parents to sue to keep uniforms out of schools

TIM PRATT

A group of Starkville School District parents is planning to appeal the SSD board of trustees’ decision last week to implement a dress code this fall in city schools.

The group has 10 days from the March 2 ruling to file an appeal. Plans are in the works to file an appeal in Oktibbeha County Circuit Court Friday, SSD parent Sarah Coleman said in an e-mail.

Parents have hired attorneys who will be at the Starkville Sportsplex conference room today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to obtain names and collect signatures for affidavits for anyone interested in joining the appeal.

Dozens of parents have spoken out against the dress code at public meetings, on Internet comment boards and in letters to the editor. A Facebook page for people opposed to the policy had more than 420 members as of Wednesday night. But the group kept mum Wednesday on the grounds for its impending appeal.

“I can not tell you much because right now we are still working on (the appeal),” said Kate Fabel, a Starkville School District parent opposed to the policy. “The lawyers will be there (today). They can answer all the questions.”

Starkville School District officials also are keeping silent.

“It would be premature to comment at this time,” SSD Public Information Officer Nicole Thomas said.

School officials have cited safety concerns as one of the main reasons for wanting to implement a dress code.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: Starkville school board candidate ruled ineligible

TIM PRATT

One of the candidates vying for a seat on the Starkville School District Board of Trustees has been declared ineligible by the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office.

Ann Carr lives outside Starkville corporate limits, but in a portion of Oktibbeha County served by the Starkville School District. Eighteen percent of Starkville School District students and two school board members — Keith Coble and Bill Weeks — also live outside Starkville’s corporate limits, but within the school district’s boundaries.

According to state statute, if at least 15 percent of students live outside corporate limits, but within a school district’s boundaries, at least one person living in that area must serve on the Board of Trustees. State statute also says if more than 30 percent of students live in the added area, no more than two members of the Board of Trustees can live there.

The Starkville Board of Aldermen, which is responsible for appointing the person to fill the vacant seat, was unclear whether or not Carr would be eligible to serve since she would be the third Board of Trustees member who lives outside the city’s corporate limits. Their confusion was based on conflicting Attorney General’s opinions dating back to 1981, and because the Starkville School District’s student population living in Oktibbeha County is greater than 15 percent, but less than 30 percent.

Attorney General’s opinions from 1991 and 2004 say anyone can serve on the school board as long as he or she lives within the school district. An Attorney General opinion from 1981, however, states that only two school board members can live in an area added on to the original school district, like the portion of Oktibbeha County added to the Starkville School District, regardless of the percentage of the student population living there.

In a letter to city officials dated March 5, Attorney General Jim Hood supported the 1981 opinion, which would limit the SSD to two Board of Trustees members who live in the county, and modified the opinions from 1991 and 2004.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

Black and Gold Thursday in Starkville! Show your spirit Jacket Nation! And Pass It On!

Celebrate the Jackets Championship! Mayor Parker Wiseman has declared Thursday Black and Gold Day in Starkville!

Championship Parade will begin at 4 pm. Lineup is in the Starkville Daily News parking lot. Parade will head north on Jackson, west on Main and south on Louisville, ending on Yellowjacket Drive at SHS. Victory Rally will begin at 4:30 pm or immediately following the parade at SHS in The Beehive.

Pick up your children from school and head to Main Street to wave to the team! And then join us in The Beehive for a Victory Rally!

Special thanks to Parents for Public Schools, City of Starkville, and Greater Starkville Development Partnership for facilitating and organizing the celebration. It would not have happened without their support!

The proclamation from the Mayor is below:

A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE STARKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL “YELLOWJACKETS” BOYS
BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE MHSAA
STATE TOURNAMENT

WHEREAS, the Starkville High School “Yellowjackets” Boys Basketball
Team slam dunked the Class 6A State Championship; and

WHEREAS, the “Jackets” beat Meridian 57-51 to capture the school’s
first state title since 1961; and

WHEREAS, Rashad Perkins, Dandy Dozen senior, earned the Cellular South
Player of the Game award for his double-double of 25 points and 14 rebounds;
and

WHEREAS, Perkins and fellow teammate, Edward Townsel, were named to the
All Tournament Team for their showcase of athleticism and leadership during
the tournament; and

WHEREAS, the determination of the championship team to bring home the
Gold Ball trophy is matched by the dedication of Head Coach Greg Carter, who
has given each student athlete great confidence in their talents and
abilities; and

WHEREAS, the championship Yellowjacket Basketball Team is as follows:
Rashad Perkins, Edward Townsel, Keon McKinney, Michael Brand, Nathan Ball,
Shaquille Hill, Steven Brand, Gavin Ware, Brandon Johnson, Calvin Young,
Jaquez Johnson and Tory Rice; and

WHEREAS, the Yellowjackets demonstrate good sportsmanship in victory,
and each player displays a positive attitude and winning spirit, bringing
great pride and honor to Starkville High School and their community:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED I, PARKER WISEMAN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF
STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, do hereby congratulate the Starkville High School
“Yellowjackets” Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Greg Carter on their
extraordinary victory in the State 6A Championship, declare Thursday, March
11, 2010 Black and Gold Thursday in Starkville, and encourage the Starkville
community to show their support for this talented team during the
Championship Celebration Parade and Victory Rally.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Head Coach
Greg Carter, Athletic Director Bill Lee, Starkville High School Principal Keith Fennell and Starkville School District Superintendent Judy Couey on this 11th day of March in the year 2010.

Parents plan to sue school district over uniforms

Received this last night:

A group of concerned parents and citizens of Starkville are challenging a recent decision by the Starkville School Board to require mandatory uniforms for all students. Parents, students, community members, and other Starkville School District stakeholders who disagree with the School Board’s decision are welcome to participate in this legal challenge.

Lawyers will be in Starkville to obtain names and signatures for affidavits of anyone interested in joining the appeal (the appeal documents will be at the meeting for your review and questions). Each person will sign separately, not as a family. Parents must sign for minors under 16. This is your ONLY chance to be part of this case. If a family can afford to help with lawyer costs, donations of $50 per family are welcomed, but NOT required.

Thursday, March 11, 2010
Starkville Parks & Rec Sportsplex, Conference Room
6:00 – 8:00 pm

This meeting will be come and go; there is no requirement to stay the full two hours or to arrive at any certain time. There is no commitment level beyond your signature stating that you agree with the legal challenge.

This is the only chance for YOU to be a part of this case. State law mandates that as a community we have 10 days to file an appeal of the School Board’s decision. The complaint will be filed in the Oktibbeha Circuit Court on Friday, March 12. After that date no additional parties can be accepted.

Support our students, families and community by coming to the Sportsplex on Thursday night!

CD: First lady recognizes Starkville schools

TIM PRATT

First Lady Michelle Obama gave kudos to the Starkville School District Wednesday for its efforts to improve the health of city students.

During a speech at Brinkley Middle School in Jackson, Obama encouraged students to pursue healthier lives and recognized the Starkville School District’s removal of deep fryers from school cafeterias as a step toward achieving that goal.

“Here in Mississippi, another thing that’s happened is that they’ve taken fryers out of the school and put in more ovens, right?” Obama said to a round of applause. “And just imagine, just because of that, in Starkville, two schools in that area, they’ve cut out about 3 million calories — 3 million calories — just by not having fried potatoes. Those are the kind of little things that make a difference.”

Although fryers actually were removed from three schools in the Starkville School District, not two, district officials were thrilled with Obama’s comments.

“It is quite an honor to be recognized for the effort,” district Director of Child Nutrition Beverly Lowry said. “And I think the fact that she said even the small things make a difference, I mean, when you look at french fries every day, the small things do add up. That’s a lot of calories.”

The fryers were removed from Starkville High School, Armstrong Middle School and Sudduth Elementary School, and replaced with combi ovens, which use steam, hot air, or a combination of both to prepare food. Costing about $35,000 per unit, the Starkville High School combi oven was paid for with a John D. Bower Foundation grant, while the ovens at Armstrong and Sudduth were paid for with district Child Nutrition Department funds, Lowry said.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: Taylor leaves after 10 years on Starkville school board

BONNIE COBLENTZ

Board president Walter Taylor received a send-off party Tuesday night after serving 10 years on the Starkville School District board of directors.

The school district hosted a reception in the Greensboro Center before the regularly scheduled board meeting. Current and past board members, central office staff, teachers, family and friends came to wish Taylor well.

Superintendent Judy Couey called it “a mixed emotion occasion” as she thanked him for his service.

“When you serve on a school board, your life has been irrevocably changed,” Couey said, referring to the time it takes and the demands it places on family and schedules.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: Starkville school board adjusts policy on public input

BONNIE COBLENTZ

The Starkville School District board may have said one thing in their business meeting Tuesday night but did another.

The board approved amendments to two policies that govern when their meeting agendas are drawn up and available to the public and how the public can participate in board meetings. This action came shortly after the board voted unanimously for a policy that 10 speakers and a room and hall full of people were opposed to.

Muttered comments heard in the crowd as the public involvement policies were being discussed indicated that at least some of those present thought they saw a discrepancy between the board’s words and actions.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: Starkville city school board votes for school uniforms

BONNIE COBLENTZ

Ten speakers and a full house showed up in polite and well-argued opposition to school uniforms, but the Starkville School District went against the apparent majority and voted unanimously on what they’re calling a dress code policy.

Despite previous split votes, all five board members agreed to require all students to wear what is commonly referred to as school uniforms. Pickett Wilson made the motion, which was seconded by Eddie Myles.

Before the vote, Carrie Copeland, Sarah and Martin Coleman, Jennifer Burgess, Jonita Thompson, Rosiland Ashford, Kate Fabel, Renee Matich, Sally Gray and Ralph Olivieri all addressed the board in opposition to uniforms. Major points of their remarks include:

Copeland — Thinks there are better ways to address school safety, such as closing campuses with fence and locking doors. The cost of uniforms will be a burden to many families. The district’s existing dress code has only been in place for four years, and that is not being followed closely.

Sarah Coleman — “When I put it all together, I don’t see that the benefits are outweighing the costs.” Many families, especially those with multiple children, use hand-me-downs and buy used clothing. Uniforms will be an unfair burden to them.

Martin Coleman — Is a high school counselor at a neighboring school district that requires uniforms. He keeps socks in his office to help students out of uniform not get in trouble. A true uniform policy must be black and white and leave no room for judgement calls. “If someone wanted to come on our campus, all they have to do is wear the perfect uniform.” And the focus on uniforms means “we’re really not talking about relevant things.”

Burgess — Look at other alternatives to improve school safety. Raised questions about style versus color and how uniforms will be useful for identification when students are wearing coats on the playground and before and after school. Suggested if the board wants to require uniforms, they start with one clothing item like a shirt and evaluate effectiveness in a year. “We have a dress code in place. I would like to see it enforced.”

Thompson — Found that buying just five pairs of pants each for her three boys would cost about $240, “something I do not have.” Shops all year for sales and off-season bargains to dress her boys cost-effectively. Uniforms will have to be bought all at once at full price.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

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