May 16, 2007
PPS approves school uniforms, chooses new Superintendent
The Petersburg Public Schools Board voted tonight to approve the development of a school uniform policy in the elementary and middle schools. Petersburg High School students will not wear uniforms but will be required to strictly adhere to the dress code that was revised last autumn.
The elementary school students will be required to wear uniforms starting in fall 2007; the middle schools in fall 2008.
The measure passed as a substitute motion, four votes in favor and three against, adding the above amendment regarding the high school.
The issue has been discussed, off and on, in the district for years. Earlier this year, the Board approved a Uniform Dress Code Committee to research the pros and cons of school uniforms. The committee was composed of community members, including PPS students, and facilitated by School Board Member Dr. Kenneth Lewis. This committee examined school uniform policies in other districts and surveyed the Petersburg community.
In other news tonight, the Board approved a new Superintendent of Schools. The Board sought community input through a public hearing and a community survey, to determine what residents of Petersburg wanted from a new superintendent. A nationwide search was then held and narrowed down to six finalists, who were then interviewed in Petersburg, from which two prospective candidates remained.
Chosen was Dr. James M. Victory, 52, who is currently the Superintendent of Schools in University City, Mo. A native of Accomack County, Va., Victory had extensive educational and administrative experience in Virginia, in Norfolk, Hampton and Portsmouth, before accepting the position in Missouri.
Victory has a doctorate degree from Virginia Tech and a bachelor�s degree from Norfolk State University.
The Board hopes to have Victory in Petersburg by the end of May and to have a community reception.
Finally, please note that the Petersburg School Board will hold a public meeting to discuss urgent changes to the proposed budget based on the Petersburg City Council�s decision not to approve approximately $1 million in funding that the Board sought in order to raise teachers� salaries. That meeting will be held on Monday, May 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Petersburg School Board Office.
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I think this is a great move for the Petersburg School System. Curious to know - why wasn’t the high school included?
I would surmise that in today’s world it would be very difficult to enforce arequirement that public school teenagers wear school uniforms. That said, it is even more important that PHS enforces a stringent dress code and does not allow students to wear the “uniform of the street” to school.
I guess my thinking was for all the Elementary kids starting next year. They will be wearing uniforms - and they will continue to wear the uniforms through Middle School - So, why not keep it going through High School. At any rate — this is great news and already a huge accomplishment for PPS.
You are absolutely correct. They should perhaps consider a transition phase wherein the students who have not experienced school uniforms in elementary and middle school do NOT wear them but the classes that do wear them, continue to do so in high school. Properly approached, these uniforms can become a badge of honor and of pride.