The Battle for the Kilt in Saint Louis, Missouri - USA

[Father Bill]

As a retired headmaster/ principal, I always found it infinitely easier in any ruling to have a few broad guidelines and then deal with individual problems as the arose, rather than legislate in great detail and then have to run around like a headless chicken trying to explain it and enforce it. I am always and forever much more willing to work with guidelines than rules in school and in our greater society as well. It's easier, more flexible to meet individual needs (such as a young fellow in a kilt or a young woman in a sari) and more easily understandable by all.

As a failsafe, the last line of my school's four sentence dress code was "In any case of dispute, the decision of the principal shall be final." Odd as it may seem, there was never any case of dispute. Maybe it was because nobody was trying to find a way to get around the non-existent little details in the dress code... since there weren't any. If you go into detail, some twisted mind and sharp tongue will likely find a way to abuse or ignore them.

My school actually only had four school rules:

Everyone* at this school is expected to
Be courteous, considerate, and polite,
Show that they are concerned for safety,
Do quality work, and,
Accept responsibility for themselves.

*Note, it does not say "students." It says everyone.

There were twenty seven Acts of Parliament on my shelves that controlled my school, policies made under the Acts, Guidelines to explain the policies, and Schoolboard policies, guidelines, and proceedures as well... but I very, very rarely ever turned to them, and then only to explain or enact the four rules. In fact, it was never from the rules that my problems came. It was from people trying to twist or avoid the stuff on that shelf. Everytime you legislate detail, it seems you create a headache for yourself.

Guidelines, not legislation.

And now... I've probably said too much, and someone will try to twist it or find an exception!

And that's my 1900th post!