Were Dance Rights Violated?

WAITSBURG - Some par- ents believe their legal rights were violated when they were asked to leave the Homecoming dance last month because of new rules created by the Associated Student Body and staff members.

The new rules were a collabo- ration to help end complaints of inappropriate dancing at school functions.

However, after the Oct. 20 Homecoming dance for Waits- burg High School students, school board Chairman Ross Hamann said last week parents complained about having limited access to attend the dance.

The new rules, dated Sept. 10, 2012, prohibit sexually sugges- tive dancing and "making out" at high school dances and gives chaperones the right to determine the appropriateness of student behavior.

The final rule that was set forth explains that "only official chaperones approved by the (As- sociated Student Body) may be in attendance at dances. Parents, family and community members are invited to attend the "Coro- nation" (should there be one). Those attending will be allowed to enter the dance 10 minutes prior to the scheduled "Coronation" (time to be set by the dance committee)."

"It was staff and students who developed the six rules and we're supportive of them," said Stepha- nie Wooderchak, the secondary principal.

The rules were posted Wednesday before the Saturday night dance to make students and parents aware of the changes.

Hamann said because the school board, which is responsible for establishing parent access to the classroom and school sponsored activities per state law, did not approve the rules created by the students and staff mem- bers, the rule pertaining to parent access at dances was revoked and the board heard from parents, staff and a student on the issue that evening.

Superintendent Dr. Carol Clarke said parent access to school activities and the class- room should be given as long as it is not defined as disruptive. However, there is no language in the school policy or state law that describes parent access to student social activities sponsored by the school, she said.

Logan Dozier, the current president of the Associated Stu- dent Body, said the rule pertain- ing to parent access stems from student complaints at prom last spring. He said some parents who had attended the dance were overheard making critical comments about students. This behavior by the parents had a "negative effect" on the students and the dance atmosphere, he said.

With the new parent rules in place at the Homecoming dance last month, Dozier said the students enjoyed themselves much more than at prom.

"Let the students have fun at a school-sponsored event for them," he said. "I thought everything went great (at Homecoming)."

Teacher Jeff Bartlow said about two years ago, some par- ents became very concerned with the kind of dancing that was taking place at the dances and groups of adults began attending the dances.

Wooderchak said the parents had started attending dances in large numbers and standing against the wall and watching students. There were about 20 parents attending a dance for about 100 students in the school, she said. At last year's prom, Wooderchak said some parents were telling chaperones what to do and verbally criticizing the students' dress and behavior.

"It was creating a very nega- tive atmosphere," Wooderchak said. "It was awkward (for the students) to be stared at. That's where the stress was generated."

Parent Bob Deal attended the school board meeting and said he believes limiting his access to school dances if he is not being disruptive is a violation of his rights.

"Parents have a right to be at the school provided they don't do something silly," Deal said.

He added he believes the new rule was a blanket exclusion that violated state law.

Clarke countered that state law does not address parent ac- cess to school social functions and the law was intended for classroom and educational activities.

Deal said he was concerned the school district is wading into bad territory when trying to re- strict parent access.

He said it's the school board's responsibility to make the rules for parent access and he urged the board to approve a rule within its authority.

Board Member Greg Zuger said he needed to take time to digest the input, review the infor- mation and the board could make a decision on rules at a later date. He said he doesn't want students to feel intimidated by parent behavior and he added parents certainly can bully students by staring at them.

Board Member Christy House was concerned about hav- ing parent access in limbo with the Harvest Ball dance coming up Dec. 1. That dance does fea- ture a "Coronation" as well.

Wooderchak suggested can- celing all dances until parent access was worked out. Instead, the board will seek advice from legal counsel and it may need to hold a special meeting before Dec. 1 to pass a new policy.