Will school uniforms ever become the mandatory dress for students in the Blanchester Local School District?

A Putman Elementary School teacher, Michele Burton, favors students wearing uniforms district-wide, but Supt. Brian Ruckel said he believes half the community would favor uniforms while the other half would be against them.

Burton and Kathy Falgner, a teacher’s aide at Putman, attended the Tuesday night meeting of the Blanchester Board of Education to address the issue of students wearing uniforms.

Burton, told the board she went shopping with her 10-year-old daughter before the start of school and she could not believe the style of clothes in all of the stores. “She’s 10 years old. They want her to dress like someone walking the streets?”

“I can see uniforms in the high school and the middle school. But are there really problems at Putman?,” asked John Panetta, the board’s newest member who was elected to the seat in November.

Burton said some girls come to school in skirts that are too short and too tight. Students wear t-shirts with inappropriate sayings, she said.

“Who would benefit most?,” Panetta asked.

“I think it helps everybody,” Burton replied. “I think parents benefit because of the cost. I think it’s a safety issue if nothing else. We would know who belongs there and who doesn’t.”

Burton said it would be good if all students wore the same thing. “The kids know even in first grade. They know who has money and who does not have money.”

In reference to inappropriate dress, Ruckel and some board members agreed that issue is addressed in the district’s dress code.

Ruckel said the dress code has been a problem. “No matter what rules we have, it all comes down to enforcing it,” he said. “If we had uniforms, half the community would be for it and half would be against it.”

“This certainly is a hot topic,” said Jack Fisher, a former 30-year Blanchester teacher who is president of the Board of Education. “There are arguments on both sides,” he said. “We will discuss this and look into gathering more information. It is a topic that’s out there that should be looked at.”

The 2008 goals for the school district were discussed but no action was taken by the board.

Referring to one of the goals that may be included, board member Joe Falgner said people should take more pride in their schools. “I’m proud of our schools. We have a lot of good academics and a lot of good sports,” he said.

Panetta said he would like to have the school turn to more green issues such as recycling.

“In my opinion, that is a direction we can look at but there are a lot of ramifications and cost going in that direction,” Fisher said. “I think we should look at it before we put it in as a goal.”

Ruckel said goals are very helpful to the superintendent, administrators and staff. “I want to make sure we have goals that I can drive because they are my rules,” he said.

During the business of the superintendent, Ruckel recognized board members by presenting each a certificate of appreciation. He said the month of January is Board Member Recognition Month. Board members are Claire Ledford, Keith Gibson, Fisher, Falgner and Panetta.

In other business, the board approved the transfer of Chris Branson from Putman Elementary principal to special education director. “Mrs. Branson requested she be moved to special education,” Ruckel said. “She wanted to take some time away from being principal.”

The change for Branson was effective Jan. 1. “She has done an excellent job since she moved into that position,” Ruckel told the board.

Clifton Franz, elementary assistant principal, will serve as interim elementary principal.

Resignations were accepted from Christy Faulkner as intermediate school aide, effective Nov. 8, 2007, and Dee Ann Sears as special needs aide, effective Jan. 7.

The board also accepted the resignation of Kevin Lockwood as high school technical director and Andrea Tacoronte as (66 percent) technical director for high school drama.

Later in the meeting, the board hired Tacoronte as 50 percent drama director.

Josh Weisflock was approved as an assistant varsity baseball coach. Ruckel said Weisflock, a former Blanchester student, has served two or three years as a coach in the district. “He has been helpful with the football program,” Ruckel added.

Diane Dayton was approved as a substitute teacher.

Employed for contracted services on an as-needed basis were Renea Tackett, substitute interpreter. “We have a student in the intermediate building that has hearing problem and an interpreter is needed.” Ruckel explained to the board.

Tessy Baker was extended a contract as school psychologist on an as-needed basis.