Show up and dress up

Not only had Richmond County students better get to school this year, but they'd best be dressed properly.

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The Board of Education Tuesday night set a zero-tolerance policy for unexcused absences - a surprise move, since the board was expected to be asked to merely reduce the number of allowable unexcused absences from 12 to 10. It wasn't too long ago that the district allowed a whopping 24 such absences.

But after state lawmakers this year decided to crack down on parents after the fifth unexcused absence, Richmond County Superintendent Dr. Charles Larke decided to go further and ask the board not to allow any "skip" days.

Give him, and the board, credit for taking this step. Of course, it makes sense - but is nonetheless a bold move.

Moreover, the district is to be commended for tightening its dress code and student behavior policies to prevent overt gang activity. The rules will prohibit certain gang-associated clothing, hand signals, symbols and meetings. A ban on gold teeth caps, known as "grilles," also is welcome.

Enforcement of the dress code could be delicate, as some interpretations may be in the eye of the beholder. So be it. Tie goes to the principal!

Still, we urge the school board and principals to keep an open mind: Should the more restrictive dress codes become an administrative nightmare, the next logical move would be to go to school uniforms, the appearance of which there is no room for argument.

We applaud the district for doing its best to get kids to school - and to make certain they're dressed for success once there.

--From the Thursday, July 29, 2004 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle