In a two-and-a-half hour meeting Monday night, the Austin School Board approved changes to policies next year for elementary, middle and high schools in Austin.

However, two of the changes proved to be somewhat controversial.

A new dress-code policy was approved as a part of the student agenda for Austin High School.

The policy is much more specific as to the types of clothing students are allowed to wear in school.

It bans items such as spaghetti-strap tops, tube tops and one-shoulder shirts.

Also pants cannot touch the ground, and the midriff and shoulders must always be covered, even with arms extended above the head.

Austin High School Principal Joe Brown said the policy is asking students to dress "a little more professionally."

He said about 5 percent of students at the high school wear revealing clothing, and the policy needs to be specific to deal with that problem.

He said the policy asks students, "for seven hours at the public schools, cover up your chest and cover up your midriff."

Two delegations of students addressed the board in protest of the new policy.

Mike Binder, a junior and member of the student council, said some teachers will abuse the new guidelines and more than the 5 percent will be punished.

"I know some teachers are going to say, 'OK, raise your arms,'" he said. "I know some teachers there go around looking for this."

The agenda passed 6-1, with Kathy Green voting against it. She said it is too restrictive and students need the freedom to express their individuality through their clothing.

The open-enrollment policy, which would end open enrollment for all elementary students not currently enrolled out of their school district, passed by a 4-3 council vote.

Board member Bev Nordby said with a 21 percent mobility rate in the schools, the district needs to do what it can to keep students in their designated schools.

Area principals say the open-enrollment policy causes overcrowding in certain schools had asked the board previously to consider the issue. The board debated it at their last work session.

The difficulty with the policy change comes in the case of a student already enrolled in a school, but who has a sibling that has not yet enrolled.

Under the new policy, that unenrolled student is not eligible for open enrollment.

Tom Dankert addressed the board as a parent in that circumstance.

His daughter is currently at Southgate and his son will have to go to Banfield when he enters school in 2004. He said it will be "very hectic" for them to keep up with activities at two different schools.

He also brought up a point that had not previously been considered.

"Does this apply to teachers and principals also?" he asked.

Neveln Principal Jean McDermott said that was currently being considered as a perk for employees of the school district.

The board passed the policy as written and said it would apply to all parents, including those working in the school district.

Larry Andersen, Green and Bruce Loveland voted against it.

During the communications portion of the meeting, Superintendent Corrine Johnson relayed a letter she received from Chief of Police Paul Philipp reporting that the D.A.R.E. officers will not be available next year.

He said the program was being discontinued, but there would still be officers available for school programs regarding substance abuse.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by email at matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com