FARMINGTON -- It may soon become easier to sidestep a school uniform policy and harder to get away with truancy in the Davis School District.
In light of bills recently passed by the Legislature, the school board is examining its policies in these areas."Lawmakers took action this year, and we have to react to that in order to be in compliance with state law," said Ross Poore, policy and compliance specialist for the district.
Until now, Davis required a super majority (66 percent) of parents to vote in favor of a school uniform dress code in order for it to be mandatory.
A simple majority (at least 50 percent) was required for a uniform policy that permitted students to opt out.
But under a new law, school districts cannot mandate a school uniform policy at all.
"When the Legislature acts like a super school board and passes ridiculous things like this, isn't there some way we can have stricter language than . . . the law allows?" asked board member Cheryl Phipps.
Superintendent Darrell White responded: No, "board policy cannot conflict with state law."
One elementary school and three junior high schools in the district have school uniform policies. All have exemption provisions.
Other changes would require 20 percent of parents to sign an initiative petition to hold an election for a uniform policy. And once such a policy has been adopted, it cannot be considered again for two years.
The board also considered its truancy intervention program. New rules from the State Office of Education and the juvenile courts require documentation of a school's interaction with the student and parents.
"They don't mean to be vague, but sometimes principals haven't kept track of when they talked to the truant student's parents," said Suzanne Buchanan of District Student Services.
For the courts to become involved in "habitual truancy," the school must have counseled with the parent and student three times, sent a certified letter regarding the issue to the parent and referred the student and parent to Student Services for a pre-court hearing.
"This, of course, is not to say that we don't use other tools available to help these students," White said.
The board will take action on the proposed policy changes at its April 18 meeting.