Published: June 27, 2008 12:10 pm      

Some parents making students tardy, RCSHS principal says

Rowan County School board members have all agreed that if the 2008-09 student discipline codebook is passed – everyone would have to follow the rules.

The Rowan County Board of Education reviewed the rules at its regular meeting Tuesday and will have until next month to make changes.

Assistant Superintendent Tom Daughtery presented the codebook to the board and said there had been a few changes from this past year. He said discipline rules had not changed for the elementary schools.

Each board member voiced his opinion about past years and said they would not sign a new codebook that might not be complied with.

“I feel like last year that a couple of the schools didn’t follow the book,” said Chairman Larry Coldiron. “If we are going to have a codebook then everybody has to stick to it.”

Daughtery went over a few of the new rules and said students at the middle school would not be allowed to wear Heely shoes (wheeled shoes). “We have decided that each level will have its own dress code,” he said. “Sleeveless shirts are really no big deal at the elementary level as it is at the high school. The high school dance policy also has been taken out of the book.”

There had been some confusion for this year’s senior prom about who could and could not attend the dance.

Daughtery said Rowan County Senior High School Principal Mark Murray would enforce the school dance rules.

Next, the board discussed student tardiness. Murray said much of the problem begins with parents who refuse to take their children to school on time. “Our student drivers are not late for school that much,” he said. “It’s mom and dad who has caused an issue. If we could punish the parents then it would be great.”

Superintendent Marvin Moore asked Murray if those particular parents had been contacted about the problem. “We have called them in,” Murray commented. “There are some who just won’t bring their kids to school on time.”

Moore said the school district works on three basic rules. “We are going to be fair, firm and consistent,” he said. “We don’t care who your parents are. You have to carry out the rules in the book.”

The board was told to review the book and return with any changes July 15 at the regular school board meeting.