Butler Timeline of Events

Hargens | JCPS committed to supporting students

There has been much confusion about the long-standing policy, which was updated by the Butler School-Based Decision Making (SBDM) council last year to spell out specific hairstyles for males that were prohibited, and I’m truly sorry that confusion has created both unnecessary hurt and embarrassment for some students.

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I commend Principal William Allen and the Butler SBDM council for moving immediately to suspend the portion of the dress code that referenced hair. This allows the Butler community to focus on starting the school year off strong, and to have that broader discussion with students, parents and staff.  Principal Allen is a thoughtful, responsible and collaborative leader, inclusive of all voices, and he has said he will call a meeting in the coming days for that opportunity.

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In this case, Mr. Allen modeled the best and most appropriate way to deal with questions regarding policy: by taking them directly to school leaders first. He demonstrated, as he has during his entire career with JCPS, how effective leaders address difficult situations.

A Butler student who attended Friday’s meeting aptly summed up the situation:  “Instead of making assumptions, you all should have asked.”  As adults and leaders, we can learn a great deal from the voices of our students.