School board tables ban on body-pierce jewelry

   Socorro School Board members have tabled a request to implement an updated body-piercing policy at Socorro schools after some members questioned the need for the policy and asked for more information.

   The Policy on Body Jewelry intends to prohibit students attending school from wearing rings or jewelry in pierced locations on their body other than the earlobe.

   "Male or female students may wear a single earring or item of jewelry no larger than two inches in either or both earlobes," it states.

   Superintendent Frank Jaramillo said students are piercing their eyebrows, noses, mouths and tongues.

   "Especially at the middle school. Some kids are doing it themselves. It's a safety concern. Some of them are going to the nurse during class to get infections treated," he said.

   The proposed policy says that as a result of the safety, health and hygiene concerns created by body piercing and the adverse and sometimes violent reactions which body piercing may cause within the school community, it is the policy of the Board of Education to discourage students from engaging in body piercing.

   Board member Harold Dotson asked, "Any dress code we have at the moment is gang-related. Is that right?"

   "Yes. The concern is coming from the administration and teachers. Maybe it affects language," said Jaramillo.

   Board member Bob Markwell, who is also a physician, had two questions, "One, is it really creating health problems? Two, is it disruptive to the educational process? Or is it just a generational gap?"

   Assistant Superintendent Robert Jiron said the school nurse is concerned because students leave class to check on an infection and the problem snowballs because those same children start missing class and school. "The legal opinion was mixed," he added, "Personal freedom issues versus the need for public safety."

   Markwell said, "the hard part is determining what is acceptable. We want it if it is genuinely disruptive, or is it just because of a couple of bad apples?"

   Ann Shiells-Leviner asked, "What are the numbers?"

   Jaramillo said, "It is not allowed in any athletic events for safety reasons. If they refuse to take the jewelry off, they are asked to put a Band Aid over it or they can't play."

   A school nurse in the audience at the meeting said, "It is the first thing the fighter goes for if there is a fight and some of the infections look really nasty."

   PIBA Instructor for Socorro Schools Carl Eyman said, "Administrators are looking for a clear definition. Twelve to 30 kids would have multiple piercings while up to 12 kids have piercing on their face. Some parents are saying, 'It's OK with me,' but we have a difficult time knowing what is and isn't allowed."

   Shiells-Leviner said, "Maybe we need to look at other districts' policies."

   Board President Tommy Gonzales said, "Let's go to other districts and see what they are doing. We need numbers before making a decision."

   Ann Shiells-Leviner added, "Allowing infection to happen, isn't that a neglect issue?"

   Other board members said it was a parent neglect issue, not a school neglect issue.