Isaiah Williams, a junior at South River High School, told the Board of Education on Dec. 15 that he was sent home and given in‑school suspension after refusing to remove a do‑rag during a school day on Nov. 17, 2025.

Williams said the episode prompted a student petition to update the district dress code, which he said "has not been changed or updated since 2017," and to create clearer definitions and enforcement that are culturally aware and focused on student success. He described the petition’s goals as modernization of standards, guidelines that respect cultural practices, supportive enforcement that prioritizes communication over removal from class, and a student dress‑code advisory committee.

The student asked the board for five changes: clearer rules about what is allowed, an annual or start‑of‑year assembly to inform students about the code, modernization to reflect current fashion and diverse student needs, enforcement alternatives to suspension or removal, and a formal mechanism for ongoing student input.

Superintendent staff acknowledged the comment and said the administration would "take a look" at the matter; no formal action was taken during the meeting. The public comment occurred during the meeting’s public‑comment portion, and the board closed that portion after the scheduled calls.

The board did not vote on dress‑code changes at the Dec. 15 meeting. Next procedural steps were not specified; Williams urged that students be included in any revision process so future enforcement is clearer and less disruptive to learning.