Pleasant Valley School District may very well be seeing the end to its current dress code policy.

At the school board meeting on Thursday, a new policy eliminating the dress code was made public. If it is accepted by the school board in March, then it would go into effect in April.

“We wanted to let you know in February that it’s looking like something like this would come to fruition on April 1,” said Superintendent James Konrad.

Konrad told the audience that eliminating the dress code will give the students more flexibility.

“The intention is to focus on the academics and learning as opposed to what students are wearing. I know speaking to many staff members that that’s always been a challenge. Speaking to many students that’s also been a challenge,” he said. “I think it can help to lead to greater academic gains.”

Konrad said the administration is developing a list of dress code expectations, and they will make sure to get that information out to families in March.

School board Vice President Laura Jecker said she would have preferred that the change in the dress code policy be gradual or go into effect next school year. She also was concerned that the new policy will eliminate a fundraising source for school clubs.

“I know that a lot of our clubs and activities use dress down days for fundraisers, so now that we are going to change our dress code, is that going to hurt our activities with fundraisers?” she asked.

A member of the administration told her that they have considered that and are looking into ideas that will be as enticing for students take part in as dress down days were.

Mask policy

Effective now, though, is the school district’s policy on mask wearing on school buses.

Konrad announced that effective today, masks would be strongly encouraged on school buses, but not required. He said that the federal mandate requiring that masks be worn on public transportation is expected to be lifted on March 18.

“Due to the low COVID numbers in the community, we are recommending that masks be strongly recommended, but not mandated,” Konrad said.

During the Feb. 10 school board meeting, a group of parents threatened the school district with a lawsuit if mask wearing on school buses was not dropped by March 1.