Board removes Kountze Intermediate mandatory uniform requirement after student campaign

The Buncombe County Board of Education voted to remove the mandatory uniform requirement at Kountze Intermediate School after hearing from students and parents who collected surveys and presented concerns to the board.

Student Sandra Roberts told the board she had spent hours surveying classmates and organizing student voices on the issue. “These years of our lives, our preteen years, are crucial to shaping a person,” Roberts said. “It’s unfair that I had to learn how to shove all my emotions and feelings into eye shadow and earrings.” Her mother, Bridal Roberts, told the board students and families have raised the issue for several years and urged the board to end the uniform policy at Kountze.

Board discussion thanked the student leaders and school administrators for the work that produced the surveys and presentations. Reggie Bright, the school leader for Kountze Intermediate School, was recognized for supporting students’ civic engagement during the process.

A motion to remove the requirement that Kountze students wear school uniforms carried without opposition. Board members noted the vote followed the district’s process of gathering stakeholder input and reflected student voices presented at the meeting.

The board asked administrators to implement the change with appropriate communication to families and staff; no additional budgetary action was recorded in the meeting minutes.