'No one's been enforcing anything at this school:' Inside Brockton's heated school forum

BROCKTON - Almost every table in Brockton High School’s red building cafeteria was filled with parents and students of Brockton Public Schools Tuesday night to discuss the “drastic” policy changes proposed by school district administrators.

Over the last several weeks, Brockton’s school committee drafted a new dress code and cell phone policy to be implemented this upcoming school year. The district sent out a survey to parents and students asking for feedback on the suggested plans.

As of Tuesday night, the survey received 427 responses, most of which coming from BPS students.

One after another, many attendees of Tuesday’s tense public forum took the microphone and expressed concerns about the proposed policies. Many shared negative experiences they’ve had at the school - from mental health concerns to public safety to a lack of student discipline - as the district continues to bounce back from pandemic-year losses.

“There are things we have to do to change the culture of the school,” Brockton Superintendent Mike Thomas said to the large crowd at BHS. “How do we change Brockton High to make it better?”

The forum prompted a heated dialogue between Thomas and members of the public about the state of Brockton High, which is known for its impressive music and theatre department and successful athletics programs.

“I see what these kids need. They need structure,” said Britney Blanchet Montinard, a rising senior at BHS.

The discussion comes as the school district grapples with an $18 million cut to its budget, over 130 layoffs and a plummeting student enrollment.

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Proposed dress code "is going too far"

Thomas said that when he walked through Brockton High in the warm months of May and June, the clothing students wore to school was appalling.

"You thought you were at the beach," he said, with many parents groaning in agreement. "I was appalled by some of the outfits that I saw."

The new dress code suggested by the school committee would put major restrictions on what students could wear. Shorts, skirts and pants would need to be knee-length and either black, gray or tan. All students would be required to wear neutral-colored polos or button-down shirts tucked into their pants. No oversized clothes would be allowed.

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School principals would make exceptions for students' religious beliefs or after-school activities.

"Students don't feel like they're getting their diversity anymore," said rising BHS senior Riley McEvoy. "Personally speaking, I don't look good in that."

McEvoy said a petition against the new dress code circulated the student body and received roughly 800 signatures.

"Some of the outfits I've seen are ridiculous," said Wacilla Moniz, 16, a rising junior and last year's sophomore class president. "A lot of teachers here do not know when to step up."

The majority of Tuesday's speakers mentioned the lack of consequences for students' poor behavior - whether it's for breaking the dress code, being on their phones or causing disturbances or violence in school.

"Through all the years I've been here I don't think anyone's been kicked out of class for what they were wearing," McEvoy said.

"You have a reasonable dress code that your staff does not enforce," said Blanchet Montinard. "No one's been enforcing anything at this school."

Cell phone policy brings safety concerns

Following the years of remote learning, cell phone use has become an issue inside Brockton High as some students tend to scroll through their phones instead of paying attention in class.

"We have to make classrooms more engaging, so they don't want to be on their cell phones," Thomas said. "We have to do something."

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The new cell phone policy, modeled after one implemented at Springfield Tech High School, would have all students secure their cell phones in a Yondr Phone Pouch - a small bag the school would hold onto - at the beginning of each school day or each class period. Students could retrieve their phones during lunchtime, and exceptions would be made for students with medical issues.

According to the Brockton School Committee, Springfield Tech's engagement increased by 65% after they changed their policy. Thomas said that the policy worked in Springfield even if students put someone else's cell phone into the pouch, mainly because students knew they weren't allowed to have phones during class.

On Tuesday, a large number of parents and students decried the suggested policy, saying it would be unsafe for students to be without their phones in school if there was an emergency. Students and parents said families often don't find out about emergencies at the school unless their kid messages or calls them. Multiple parents told the committee they'd feel safer knowing their children could contact them in a dangerous situation.

Some students said they call their parents during school when they're experiencing a mental health crisis. Plus, many students depend on music from their phones to focus. Most students said they go on their phones when their work is finished or when no work is given in class.

Many students said there are "no consequences" when students are on their cell phones during class.

State school discipline laws make consequences complicated

A major concern of many attendees was the lack of student accountability and consequences when students break school rules - whether it's a dress code violation or violent behavior.

But a November 2022 update to a Massachusetts education law puts restrictions on how schools can discipline students.

According to the updated law, administrators "shall consider ways to re-engage the student in the learning process; and shall not suspend or expel a student until alternative remedies have been employed and their use and results documented." The law does not apply if a student's behavior puts their life, or another person's, at risk - like bringing a weapon or drugs into school.

"Alternative remedies" can include mediation, conflict resolution, restorative justice or collaborative problem solving.

If a student is expelled, the district must "implement school- or district-wide models to re-engage students in the learning process" including "positive behavioral interventions and supports models and trauma sensitive learning model."

Other towns face similar issues

Brockton isn't the only Massachusetts school district struggling to hold students accountable. Recently, Middleboro students damaged school property by ripping off a bench from a lunch table and kicking open bathroom pipes.

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"Suspension and expulsion, though available, is becoming less available," said Middleboro's Superintendent Carolyn Lyons. "[The] law has changed and impacted how districts respond to student behavior."

Middleboro parent Sarah Zagouris said at a school committee meeting on May 18 that students at Nichols Middle School are rarely held accountable.

"No matter what type of plan is developed, its only as good as the execution," Zagouris said. "If it's not followed it doesn’t matter. And that’s what happening."

As Tuesday night's public forum came to a close, administrators, parents and students seemed hopeful that the dialogue would lead to positive change. The Brockton committee will vote on the new policies in August.

"Brockton High is the only school I enjoy going to because it's the only one I can go to," McEvoy said.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton school dress code, cell phone policy angers whole community