DRESS CODE CHANGES, DRUG TESTING APPROVED BY MISD SCHOOL BOARD

Marshall Independent School District board members addressed questions
concerning changes in the high school dress code and senior/junior high
drug policy Monday night at a meeting.

Marshall High School male students will now be able to wear their hair long
and grow beards under "clean and neat" conditions, according to MHS
principal Bill Spivey. During the summer three committee sessions were
conducted to gather opinions from teachers, parents and students to discuss
possible changes in the code. The male hair issue was prominent in most of
these discussions.

"Our students have done a good job and I think we should reward them for
that," he said, referring to the changes in policy.

But, he did say there will be certain measures taken against the "gothic"
style of dress which Spivey believes has contributed to the "666" and
pentagram graffiti seen carved into school property.

The principal referred to Paul Allee, a student who had previously defended
gothic clothing in dress code meetings and during MISD board meetings.
Spivey said those who dress in goth wear dangerous items such as safety
pins and chains.

"The gothic belief and dress are already covered by state law in gangs and
cults, and I'll be taking steps to severely curtail the goth look on
campus," the principal said.

He also clarified the "primary outfit" clause in the code, which allows
males to wear a sleeved T-shirt beneath an unbuttoned, untucked shirt.
Spivey said he chooses his battles, and in this case, decided this look was
OK as long as the undershirt had sleeves.

"As long as I'm not looking at hairy armpits on the boys, I'm OK with
that," he said.

Laughter ensued after Spivey clarified what "sagging" is and where the
school's policy stands on this dress code problem.

"Sagging is below the half-way point between natural crotches and the
knees," he said, noting this is one issue students seem to skirt around by
pulling their pants up when administrators are nearby.

After that, the dress code was approved and discussion about the drug
policy followed. Assistant superintendent Jimmy Wall and athletic director
Rodney Southern answered board members' questions about the proposed
policy, including some concerning steroids.

"Steroid tests are about $175 apiece minimum" because the drugs are so hard
to detect, Southern said, explaining why the school opted to educate
students and parents about steroids instead of testing.

Drug and Alcohol Testing of East Texas in Longview won the district's bid
for other drug testing at $13.50 per test, with a proposed maximum of 20
tests throughout the year. Wall said Hallsville, Tatum and Pine Tree school
districts also use the Longview-based company for their student drug testing.

MISD only tested athletes in prior years, but now all students involved in
extracurricular activities will be subject to testing. Wall said he
realizes students in these activities are probably the "best students" in
the school, but the testing will set an example for the rest of the student
body.

Wall assured confidentiality was a priority as well as random tests, which
would be under the control of the drug testing company. A list of students
involved in extracurricular activities will be submitted to the company,
which will then be in control of picking names.

Students would be tested for amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines,
cocaine, methaqualone, opiates (codeine, morphine, etc.), phencyclidine
(PCP), and tetrahydrocannabinols (marijuana). Southern said alcohol was not
included because it leaves the system in a short period of time.

"If they refuse to take the test, it's the same thing as a positive," Wall
warned, noting additional steps will be taken to help rehabilitate those
students who refuse or test positive.

After approving the new drug policy, board members also approved an
Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between the city of Marshall and MISD to
have a licensed police officer/handler and a dog on the MHS campus up to 40
times a year to detect explosive materials or drugs.

Other items on the board's agenda included:

Approving the Student Code of Conduct for the 2005-2006 school year.

Approving to revise policies FDA (local) Admissions: Interdistrict
Transfers and FOD (local) Student Discipline : Expulsion to make local
policies and the Student Code of Conduct compatible.

Approving a month-to-month use agreement between the Boys and Girls Club
and MISD.

Approving a $20,176.28 donation for the MHS athletic facility from the
Slone Construction Company and a $500 donation for school supplies from the
Marshall Junior Symphony.

Approving bids for the child nutrition department and property and casualty
liability insurance.

Approving the rearrangement of funds under budget amendment No. 13.

Approving the financial reports and payment of vouchers for the month of July.