Chambersburg Area School District’s implementation of a stricter dress code in the fall of 2013 didn’t exactly bring out the best in the local community.

Less-than-civil discussions dominated school board meetings, social media - and election campaigns -for months.

Some people had thoughtful concerns and suggestions for improvement. But many louder voices, some seemingly reverting back to their rebellious, teenage selves, got ugly.

More than one observer without an dog in the fight remarked wistfully that it really would be something to see such passion be applied to bigger issues.

The sad fact is that the school board and community are in danger of a “Groundhog Day” repetition.

With a newly organized board in place, some of whose members ran on promises of transparency and of listening to constituents, there are rumblings about revisiting the dress code.

Board member Joan Smith, a strong opponent of the dress code as adopted, weighed in earlier this month, with a column advocating a return to the old rules, with some revisions.

While we appreciate the good intentions of elected officials who want to listen to the community, there’s a distinct danger, in wanting to be good guys, of being pulled around by the collar from one point of view to another. The fact is, the previous board, in developing and enacting the code, did what boards are supposed to do: research the issue, listen to a variety of viewpoints, make a decision on a new policy, and adjust it as merited.
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The dress code was developed over several years of committee work, multiple public hearings before adoption and more public discussion and adjustment after implementation. Everybody had his or her say, and then some.

The problem is, not everybody won. And it seems that these days, people are less able to accept not getting their own way all the time. So, like Obamacare opponents, some people want to keep refighting the battle, even for 100 or more votes, until they “win” or constantly disrupt implementation.

But that’s not democracy.

The dress code did not bring disaster upon the district or community. Teachers are still teaching and students are learning.

What the board needs to say, clearly and preferably unanimously, is: No, we will not revisit the dress code now. Since the election, far more important priorities have come up. We would do the students and community a disservice if we allowed ourselves to be distracted by refighting a battle that would re-polarize the community, again leaving many dissatisfied.

More important issues include: providing a quality education despite the state budget mess (another example of refighting an ugly battle); redrawing school boundaries, the resurgence in the schools of sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy, an inadequate sex education curriculum, addressing the needs of more and more low-income children, and children whose parents are incapable of raising them properly, coming up with a legally acceptable compromise on the traditional Christmas nativity presentation, academic improvement and providing for the security of all students and teachers.

There’s no time to waste.

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