The Community Times Dispatch

?Ruffin Middle School truly deserves this award,? said Blakeney. The reason that they deserve this award so much is because they have teamwork and they are motivated. It begins with their leaders and it begins with every staff member out there. I you arrive at that school, you really feel like you are in a clean school, a good learning environment, and that they truly take pride in what?s going on.?

Blakeney said that Ruffin Middle School failed to claim the award during the beginning of the school year. He said that the staff started challenging each other and managed to move up from a score of 101 points at the beginning of the year to 117 points the last time they were scored at the end of the school year.
Principal Harry Jenkins, David Parker, Linda Linnen, Robert Chisolm, Richard Newton, and Willette Dubois were recognized for exemplary performance and commitment to Ruffin Middle School.

Other Agenda Items:
The issue of a policy regarding appropriate and inappropriate clothing was also discussed at Tuesday?s meeting. Exact policy regulations are not listed in this article. The school district has plans to make the full policy available to staff, parents, and students upon completion of the policy?s revision. Please check with the school district for total accuracy and language of the district?s dress code policy.

The discussion began with the issue of sleeveless shirts.
Superintendent Charles Gale posed the question as to whether the consensus of the board was to disallow all sleeveless shirts or if individual school administrators would be allowed discretion as to the appropriateness of sleeveless garments.

A general consensus was granted in the policy for individual administrators to demonstrate discretion within a set of pre-determined guidelines to help with conformity throughout the district. The Superintendent assured board members that district level personnel would visit schools periodically to ensure conformity. Pictures outlining conformity are also to be posted on the district?s website.

Furthermore, baggy sagging pants or shorts are not acceptable wear.
Officials agreed that they would not require students to tuck shirt tails in, however, an appropriate length of shirts that are not tucked must not exceed the students? hip.

Opened heel and closed heel shoes were also discussed in the meeting. Officials agreed that it would not be mandatory for teachers to regulate shoe appropriateness or for students in any grade level to conform to wearing a closed heel shoe.

School Board Trustee compensation was also discussed in the meeting. Superintendent Gale told board members that he had spoken with the Legislative Delegation regarding Trustee compensation. He mentioned that several members of the delegation would like to see the School Board adopt a Resolution for Home Rule.

Board Member PA Pournelle made a Resolution that the board request the delegation to support and improve the existing Senate Bill, authorizing local salaries drawn by the school board to be capped at $7,500. After a brief discussion, the Resolution passed (5-2.)

The School District Budget draft was discussed. Further information regarding the budget will be printed in later editions of The Dispatch.

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