Flip-Flops Are Back at BHPRSD

An infrequently enforced policy banning flip-flops in its three high schools became a main point of contention at the Black Horse Pike Regional School District (BHPRSD) Board of Education meeting at Highland Regional Thursday night.

While this favorite of the footloose and fancy-free rose to prominence nearly a century ago, BHPRSD administrators technically could have checked them at the schoolhouse steps due to safety concerns of the district’s policymaking brain trust.

Now, a revision has nearly been pushed through that strips the teeth out of the policy language that specifically targeted flips-flops.

And victory can almost be claimed by the students who worked closely with administrators and staff over a year-long period to repeal this ban.

With a 5-3 vote, the board repealed the ban on flip-flops on first reading Thursday night. The policy change will take effect if approved on second reading.

"We feel that the language is actually kind of redundant, since students already have to wear proper attire in areas such as laboratories, shop classes and for physical education," said district Director of Curriculum and Instruction Brian Repici.

Repici explained it has been a policing nightmare for administrators trying to follow the letter of the law.

The policy, last updated in April 2009, states specifically that "Safe footwear is required ... Flip flops/slippers are not acceptable."

However, there has been little adherence to the policy, admitted district Superintendent John Golden, as throngs of students have turned to thong sandals to beat the heat.

"They have been deemed as unsafe shoes to wear by the policy committee," Golden explained, noting that any strapped sandal was still considered appropriate. "It has been in our policy. And for administrators what constitutes a flip-flop has been a judgment call to say the least."

Two board members who voted in favor of the policy change—Jennifer Storer and Patricia Wilson—wore flip-flops to the meeting, perhaps in a show of solidarity with students backing the return of the popular beachcombing gear.

"I think our administrators have better things to do than worry about students wearing flip-flops," Storer said.

Board President Joyce Ellis and board members Joseph Baldino and Ben Zanghi voted to effectively keep the ban by voting against the revision to Policy 5511, Dress and Grooming.

"Somebody may feel flip-flops are safe to wear," Zanghi said. "I will be voting against it."

Officials said that while there has never been an incident in the district where flip-flops have led to an injury, they understand the real value has been preventative in nature.

Within its dress code the district separately addresses the need for proper footwear and clothing in gym, shop and laboratory areas.

Policy changes such as this one are developed through an arduous process with input from principals, students and teachers, according to Repici.

Punishments for violating the flip-flops ban included requiring a student’s parent to bring in a change of footwear, detention or possible suspension.