Winona Area Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Annette K. Freiheit, right, speaks with students in Linda Pfeilsticker's AP U.S. History class on Tuesday about the proposed dress code policy.
The superintendent asked for feedback. And she’s getting a lot of it.
Dr. Annette K. Freiheit on Tuesday started the process for gathering feedback on a new dress code policy that will replace the current policy, which was adopted in 2008 and hasn’t been revised since 2014.
The proposed policy is similar to one currently in place at Rochester Public Schools. The school board asked Freiheit to receive feedback from students, staff and the community before it voted on the proposal.
On Tuesday, Freiheit spent time with four classes taught by social studies teacher Linda Pfeilsticker. The students in Pfeilsticker’s A.P. U.S. History class seemed to appreciate the updated policy, although they had rather specific questions about some aspects of it.
“We want to make sure it is consistently applied,” Freiheit said. “That’s where getting this feedback helps.”
By and large the new policy offers more autonomy to students when it comes to their clothing and seeks to eliminate gender bias.
Freiheit will solicit feedback from staff following the winter break. A survey will also be sent out to community members asking for feedback as well.