FED UP: GROUP AIMS TO FIGHT DISTRICT PLICIES SOME CONSIDER UNREASONABLE

By Rick Joslin/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Wendy Crow says she is “fed up” with what she terms “unreasonable policies” in the Watson Chapel School District. And she’s looking for others who share her frustrations to join her at a Sept. 11 Watson Chapel School Board meeting, so that directors can be informed of the displeasure and, “hopefully,” initiate steps to remedy “the mounting problems.”

Crow, a legal assistant in a firm specializing in family law, is a self-described activist. She has organized a “growing group” — Fighting Education Depriving Uniform Polices, or FED UP — for students and parents. As of Wednesday afternoon, the association counted about 20 members.

The Commercial has received numerous complaints from Watson Chapel patrons on the district’s dress code and its enforcement.

Crow said the district’s dropout rates are up and graduation rates are down. She understands that Watson Chapel Superintendent Danny Knight and other administrators are enforcing board guidelines, but believes the board and executives are denying educational opportunities to students by focusing on attire more than scholastics.

“The Constitution doesn’t put an age limit on rights,” said Crow. “Many kids in the district are upset with the dress code, but they’re not being given the right to state their views. And parents have a right to be given legitimate information on district policies.” She said some of the approved clothing items are almost impossible to find in Pine Bluff or Little Rock-area stores and cost-prohibitive for low- to moderately-income patrons.

Numerous parents have told The Commercial that several Watson Chapel officials approved some clothing items in orientation sessions held before classes began on Aug. 21, only to change their minds afterward and rule the items to be in non-compliance.

Knight recently pointed out that the uniform code, which the board adopted in April and was then communicated to students and parents, received input from a committee of pupils, parents, administrators, teachers and board members.

Crow said she, other parents and many students are opposed to uniforms but are more distressed by “petty rules” within the district’s dress code that have, for “a large number of students,” resulted “in being unnecessarily singled out and sent home.”

Several callers have told The Commercial that students found in violation of the clothing policy are now being dismissed for an entire day. Previously, inappropriately-dressed students were allowed to go home, change into acceptable attire and return to classes. Parents had also been permitted to bring authorized apparel to the campuses to replace the non-sanctioned garments, according to the sources.

Crow maintained Watson Chapel Junior High School authorities on Wednesday violated the First Amendment rights of her 15-year-old son, Christopher Lowry, who, she said, was removed from class and directed to the principal’s office when it was discovered that he was distributing FED UP leaflets to other students.

Crow said she was told that her son’s conduct violates school policy. She contends such policy breaches her son’s constitutional liberties.

She said she was further angered when her son’s back-pack and books were apparently stolen from the administrative office while he was in conference. She said she was later told by a school official that her son will be on in-school suspension until she pays replacement costs for his missing books.

“I was told by an administrator that officials didn’t have time to help my son look for his missing property or to investigate the theft,” she said. “I think that ought to be a part of their jobs. I would think they’re responsible for my son’s safety and protection, for the welfare of each student. I don’t want to believe it, but I can’t help but wonder if my son is being retaliated against because he’s in disagreement with the dress code.”

Crow said she’s looking forward to the upcoming board meeting.

“I think we’ll have to go in front of the school board to get something done,” she said, “but I don’t think they (board members) will really do anything. We’ll take legal steps if necessary.”

Crow said persons wishing to join FED UP can telephone her at (870) 872-0746 or e-mail her at wendymcrow@yahoo.com.