The North Little Rock School Board will not mandate a uniform policy this school year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The School Board voted Monday not to require the district's elementary and middle-school students to wear uniforms.
School district spokesman Dustin Barnes said the decision was made to help families who have been negatively affected by the pandemic and are unable to purchase uniforms for their students.
"We know that some families have already purchased uniforms for the new school year," Barnes said in a news release. "Feel free to send your student to school in that apparel."
Board President Dorothy Williams said at Monday's meeting that by not enforcing the mandate it allows parents the freedom to use clothes they already have.
"Let the children come to school the way the parents dressed them," Williams said.
Board member Cindy Temple asked if there were still restrictions in place for student's appearance even without the uniform mandate. Williams told the board that students still must dress in modest attire.
Barnes said that means teachers and administrators will expect students to report to school in presentable, distraction-free attire.
"Those who do not will be subject to disciplinary actions," Barnes said.
The uniform policy included girls being required to wear any solid color shirt with no emblems or logo and any solid color undershirt. Skirts, pants and shorts had to be solid khaki or navy, and shorts couldn't be shorter than 3 inches above the knee.
Boys had to wear solid color collared shirts with no emblems, with pants or shorts that were solid khaki or solid navy. Cargo pockets were not permitted.
Boys and girls were required to wear solid color belts, socks and shoes, and all shirts were to be tucked into pants, skirts, skorts, shorts, capris or jumpers.