A new Clark County School District policy regarding student attire could lead to athletes transferring to others schools.

Under Regulation No. 5112, all students who do not wish to adhere to school attire are eligible for zone variances under applicable regulations. The new revision opens the doors for student athletes to go to a school of their choice without losing their eligibility.

The new regulation stemmed from a lawsuit involving a Liberty High School student who won a decision against the district after objecting to dress code. Clark County School District officials were recently forced to revise a new dress policy.

Sierra Vista is among several schools that does not have an attire policy. Students of schools without the policy are not eligible to apply for zone variances under the new regulation.

“The zone variances will not come into full effect until fall,” says Zane Gray, assistant principal in charge of athletics. “The district has a deadline to count the number of students in each school where they receive funds for each student. Because that deadline has already passed it would be unlikely that any school is open to receiving zone variances.”

“The board of trustees intent in their ruling was to protect the district from court action,” says Bill Garis, director of athletics and student activities. “Under the new regulations students who apply for zone variances may be considered a transfer as opposed to a zone variance.”

Under section D of the district regulation (the compliance measures) students are granted eligibility to receive zone variances. If parents opt not to have their children participate in the student attire program because it is felt the dress code violates a religious belief, or if wearing standardized attire is inappropriate due to a verified medical condition.

Currently, all students who apply for zone variances must appeal for a sub-varsity request form. Students will not lose eligibility, but will not be able to play varsity sports unless they appeal.

“If a student feels strongly enough to change schools because of their school’s dress code, then he or she should waive their right to play sports,” says Garis. “I believe students are taking advantage of the convenient back door to avoid residency and eligibility rules.”

Most schools are required to achieve a 55 percent majority when surveying families about their uniform preferences. Schools that receive prior approval from the board of trustees or consent from the regional superintendent are exempt from such surveys.

These surveys will be given every four years and must maintain majority vote to stay in effect.

Because Liberty High School did not receive any prior permission from the school board and did not conduct surveys, the new revision was made. All schools with uniforms and attire policies were forced to make changes overnight. The revision was put into effect immediately after November 2004.

“I really respect the girl who made all these changes happen. I know she went through a lot,” says junior Alejandra Guerrero of Spring Valley High School. “The downside is that some of our best athletes are going to be going to better schools just to play sports. I myself am going to Sierra Vista for the new setting, and I plan to run track.”

There are 157 students attending Sierra Vista on a zone variance. A small percentage of these students are eligible to participate in athletics. However, these students are only denied to participate in varsity sports their first year of attendance. After that, restrictions will no longer apply.

“The school board’s decision wouldn’t change sports this year, but if this were passed last year, when all of these new schools were built, it would have made a bigger impact in athletics,” said Jerry Streets, Sierra Vista head softball coach. “I believe students should have open enrollment and finish their education at a school of their choice beginning their freshman year.”

Despite the school district’s ruling in zone variance qualifications, a school can still deny student entry based on the school’s population.

If the school is highly populated or if the student’s reasons for rezoning are questionable, then the chances of the zone variance being approved will greatly decrease.

“Our school has 700 more students than our neighboring high schools,” says Gwen Amie, Sierra Vista assistant principal. “Our school does not offer any exclusive courses or programs that are unique. All applicants requesting zone variances at this point in the school year will be denied regardless of their reason for applying.”

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