ARCADIA -- Middle schoolers can expect changes to their wardrobe if the DeSoto County School Board approves a revised dress code at tonight's meeting.

If approved, students will be allowed to wear only solid-colored shirts with collars, which must be tucked in. However, on Fridays, students will be allowed to wear DeSoto Middle School spirit or club T-shirts.

Pants, shorts, skirts and skorts can only be worn in solid blue, black or khaki, and students also will be required to wear a belt with pants that have belt loops.

Small logos on shirts and pants will be allowed.

According to the new policy, "No student will be denied attendance at school or be penalized for failing to wear a school uniform due to financial hardship." The middle school and the School Advisory Council will be brainstorming ways to offer assistance to students that are in need of financial assistance.

Therefore, parents should notify the school's administration if they need assistance.

Other notable items on tonight's School Board agenda include:

* The school district plans to close the DeSoto Alternative Center. Its last day is slated for June 30.

* The DeSoto County School Board will enter into a contract with Global Youth Services Inc., to provide educational services to students in DeSoto County who need an alternative setting or different modes of instruction.

* Luis Alvarez, director of bands, has asked the board to allow the DeSoto High School Blazing Blue Band Dance Team to attend the Universal Dance Association Camp at Jacksonville University from Monday to June 18.

* The board will be asked to approve the use of the DeSoto County Middle School tennis courts for summer tennis camp from July 13 to July 17. The camp will be from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

* Several school district employees will ask the board if they can teach summer school or renew their contracts for next year.

* DeSoto County High School reading teacher and cheerleading coach Arah Show is requesting maternity leave for the beginning of next school year. If approved, she will return in November.

E-mail: lauren.raulerson@gmail.com

By LAUREN RAULERSON

Sun Intern