A heated debate over dress codes for female students at the Woodstock Union Middle School rages on.
After weeks of controversy over the school's dress policy and accusations of sexism by the staff, the school held an open forum Wednesday to discuss a new policy.
In the school gymnasium there was standing room only as Superintendent Alice Worth, Principal Dana Peterson, staff member, students and parents talked about ways to improve the dress code, which was written in 1992.
As it is written now, the policy highlights sections of the dress code which pertain to traditionally women's clothing. One of these sections specially addresses lengths of skirts and shorts: "[They] must be of sufficient length to cover most of the thigh (minimum 7" inseam for shorts); they must be closer to the knee than the to hip."
This rule struck the middle school girls as particularly unfair. At the meeting, girls said this does not take into account the variety of girls' body types. A group of about a dozen 7th and 8th grade students told VPR they had all been physically measured with a ruler by the staff to ensure their shorts were at least 7 inches from the crotch.
Discussion about the dress code provoked larger questions about sexism and gender. Some voiced concern for trans-students, saying the rules are too specific. Others talked about reversing rape-culture.
Peggy DiBella, the administrator who held an earlier assembly at which some of the girls felt that they were being blamed for wardrobe choised that caused the boys' bad behavior, apologized. "I agree 100 percent I don't want anything to encourage a rape culture, the intent was simply to inform" she said.
Her statements received applause from the group.
The attendees split up into groups and wrote suggestions of new content for the dress code as well as new ways to implement them.
Students will get out of school in June, but as the weather warms, a new dress code still is not in place.
