Beginning in July of 2007, Broad Ripple High School students will take part in the "outward" part of a plan that hopes to create a brand new image for the Indianapolis Public School system.

On March 22, 2007, BRHS Principal Greg Allen introduced to an almost-full auditorium IPS Superintendent Dr. Eugene White. Dr. White was at the school to address the community with the first, and quite possibly most controversial, part of the plan: a new dress code for all IPS students.

"We are holding this meeting to get your input. We need your input, we need your reaction," Dr. White said to the audience. "There are several reasons to make these changes. We want to make IPS the best school district it can possibly be. We are going to start dealing with the actual infrastructure of the school system itself. This dress code is just the start."

White began his speech by showing a slide of what would be appropriate for students to wear as opposed to what would not be appropriate. The new attire will be composed of classic basics, such as khaki, navy or black dress pants and skirts, as well as button-up shirts and polos-which are permitted as long as there are no logos that are not school approved.

What will not be allowed, according to White, is the "hood" look. Baggy pants, oversized T-shirts and hoodies for male students, and tight mid-drift or shoulder-bearing shirts for female students.

Oversized jewelry (including fangs, grills and costume-like pieces) and oversized bags will also not be permitted.

"It's time to change the image and perception of IPS. Many of you know exactly what I am talking about, and those of you who do not, I must say that I am happy you don't," White said. "I am tired of people saying our students are hoods and hoodlums. I'm tired of people saying that our students don't care about anything.

"We are losing over 1,000 kids a year to other districts," he continued. "You need to understand that we don't want to be good, we want to be the best that we can. So we are going to change the image of our school district."

White also addressed the fact that it is a school's job to prepare students for future employment, and that if IPS did not change its image soon, he felt the schools were failing to prove to the rest of the state that the students were prepared, and that they did care about their futures.

When White opened the floor for discussion, many students spoke up about individuality and freedom of speech. However, many people, specifically parents, spoke up about the economic side of the issue.

White discussed that those who needed vouchers for purchasing new clothes would be provided with uniform clothes through the school system. The current draft of the code states that no student will be denied access or attendance to IPS schools due to financial hardships caused by the costs of uniform clothes.

Many people still felt that it was unfair to even those who could afford to buy the uniforms.

Julie Fritz, a mother with two children attending IPS schools, stated that while she did not have a problem with a dress code, she did have a problem with the restrictions set forth by the new one.

"My daughter has 15 pairs of shoes in her closet, and not one will work with the new restrictions," she said. "My daughter is also a straight A student and a good athlete who dresses appropriately every day. She has a closet full of clothes, and none of them will work for the new code. Do you expect me to pay over $100 to buy her a new wardrobe when her current clothes are already respectable?"

White responded that he understood, but he still felt that this was the first step in a total restructuring of IPS.

"I have said that we are going to start a whole new movement at IPS," he said. "I have been here for almost two years now. I've seen, heard and observed, and it's time to start over. And we are going to do it right. The uniform is the outer part. The inner part will deal with respect and discipline."