(Metro Creative Graphics)

The Jeff Davis Parish School Board is considering making some alterations to its student dress code for the upcoming school year, with the most notable difference being that students will be allowed to wear spirit shirts on any day.

Superintendent John Hall has temporarily approved adding a school-approved spirit shirt to the school district’s dress code beginning with the first of the 2022-2023 school year on Aug. 12.

Students will be able to choose between a collared uniform polo-type shirt or a school-approved spirit shirt which will be allowed to be worn any day of the week. In the past, students were only able to wear school spirit shirts on special occasions or for school fundraisers.

Hall said he and his staff are 100 percent in support of allowing spirit shirts, but said the School Board has the final say on any permanent changes made to the dress code.

The School Board is expected to consider making changes to its dress code policy in August after Board Member Greg Bordelon requested a discussion on the school uniform policy and the spirit shirts.

Hall told board members last week that he conducted a survey among principals after getting calls about changing the dress code after other parishes recently changed their dress codes. The main issues were with blue jeans and spirit shirts, he said.

“The principals did not feel that blue jeans were a good change due to the type of jeans now,” Hall said.

A majority of the principals expressed concerns about trying to manage tight-fitting stretch pants such as skinny jeans and jean-like materials like jeggings.

“It does affect discipline and these kids do get in trouble when they absolutely refuse to get out of skin-type jeans,” Hall said. “I know it might not be popular, but it makes me cringe to see some of our students wearing these types of jeans.”

School spirit shirts are better received by principals, students and parents, he said.

“It’s very comfortable and the school spirit is through the roof,” he said.

For example, Hall said Welsh High School and Lake Arthur High School have a very strong school spirit shirt participation almost every day.

“School spirit increases when they are wearing shirts and it’s very comfortable and easy to manage,” he said. “And it actually hides stains better than regular uniforms.”

Rules will still remain in place for what students can and cannot wear.