Parents sue over school uniform policy

Keywords Courts / neglect
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The newest First Amendment and freedom of expression case is playing out over mandatory school uniforms in Anderson.

Parents Scott and Laura Bell filed a suit in Madison Circuit Court on Tuesday against the Anderson Community School Corp., claiming that a policy set to start next month would violate the constitutional right of children for a free education.

The dress code, which is similar to those implemented in other Hoosier school districts such as the Indianapolis Public Schools, limits students to black, navy, or khaki pants or skirts and solid color shirts and sweaters. Students wouldn’t be allowed to wear baggy pants or skirts sagging below the midriffs, or shirts with writing on them.

On Friday, attorneys and the parents will appear in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis to argue a petition that the case should be removed to federal court, on grounds that it violates the First and 14th Amendments – free speech and equal protection.

So far, federal court records show that only Bose McKinney & Evans attorneys Judy Woods and Rhonda Brenan from Indianapolis have entered appearances for the school district.

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