Harlan Kirgan
Teachers will be given the option to wear scrubs when classes start in St. Landry Parish.
The scrubs were added to the dress code included in the district’s Strong Start plan to reopen schools.
At a School Board meeting Thursday, Board member Myron Guillory launched the push to add scrubs, often worn by medical workers, into the plan’s dress code.
“I think that there are many people that wear scrubs at work in different fields. I think the people in the medical profession look very nice. It looks very professional I think. The teachers, I’m in favor of them getting approval now because they are going to go into their classrooms and they are going to have to be sanitizing everything in the classroom and I think they’ll be a lot more comfortable doing it in scrubs,” he said.
Superintendent Patrick Jenkins had suggested the scrubs wait until students return to classes. The school year is to start with instruction provided online.
Board member Josh Boudreaux countered, “I feel like the profession of teacher or instructor requires a higher level of dress code. I think if we are going to stipulate what we require our children to wear, I think that we should expect our staff to dress appropriately as well,” he said.
“We are asking for something our constituents have asked for,” Board member Joyce Haynes. Haynes is a retired educator.
Other retired educators on the Board backed including scrubs in the dress code.
Denise Rose said many pre-kindergarten teachers have been wearing scrubs for years “and they look just fine.”
Mary Ellen Donatto said elementary school teachers spend a lot of time on the floor with students as well as caring for sick children. Scrubs are designed for daily cleaning, she said.
Albert Hayes Jr. said Lafayette Parish has approved scrubs for its teachers. “They are trading in their prep period for a sanitation period,” he said.
The Board’s legal counsel, Courtney Joiner, suggested the issue could wait for a special meeting to act on the scrubs.
After Jenkins said the issue could wait for a committee meeting on Aug. 26, Guillory said, “Teachers need to know sooner than later.”
Jenkins said the first nine weeks of school will be virtual.
Board member Raymond Cassimere moved that teachers be allowed to wear scrubs during the pandemic.
Joiner said there is no question the Board approves the scrubs, but acting on it at the meeting may present an issue with the open meetings law.
Joiner said the scrubs could be included in the Strong Start plan, which was approved.
Boudreaux voted against including the scrubs and Randy Wagley did not vote in the meeting in conducted on Zoom.
Other business included:
— Approving the 2020-2021 budget.
— Approving millage rates.
—Approved a bid from Advanced Metal Construction, Inc. in the amount of $58,000 to replace roof at Eunice Career & Technical Education Center.