MPASS to Metro Schools: Stick to the Facts and Stop the Propaganda on Uniforms

PRESS RELEASE TO MEDIA, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, AND MNPS

MAY 4, 2007—The recent arrest of a Jere Baxter Alternative School student suspected of concealing a rifle in his pants on a Metro bus has prompted a wave of propaganda from MNPS spokespeople, falsely using the situation to promote the district's expected uniform policy for the 2007-2008 school year.

Metro Parents Against Standard Attire (MPASS) takes exception to comments in the press this week by Ralph Thompson, MNPS assistant superintendent for student services, and Woody McMillin, MNPS spokesperson, said Laura Creekmore, releasing this statement:

"Both Thompson and McMillin asserted that a Metro-wide school uniform policy could prevent situations like this week's arrest of a student suspected of carrying a gun on a Metro bus. Yet they are ignoring some critical facts:

"The student arrested this week was never on MNPS property in possession of a firearm, but instead was waiting for and riding a Metro bus when the rifle was discovered. We doubt that MTA bus drivers, employed by Davidson Transit Organization, will be charged with enforcing the MNPS uniform policy next year.

"Even more egregious, the charged student attends Jere Baxter Alternative School, which requires standard attire now. Clearly, the school's existing standard attire policy did not prevent this incident.

"MPASS urges Metro schools to stick to the facts when talking about school uniforms."