NATCHEZ &8212; The dress code policy stands for now, but the Natchez-Adams School Board said Thursday they are willing to consider changes in the future.

At least one Natchez High student was in attendance and had requested in advance to be given time to speak on the agenda. She was not on the agenda and did not speak, but Chairman Norris Edney addressed the matter after all other agenda items had been handled.

&8220;We are aware of some concern community-wide,&8221; Edney said. &8220;Dealing with policies and interpretations of policies, it is not always easy to deal with quickly.&8221;

Edney said the dress code policy in question was one written and approved by the board.

A large number of Natchez High students have been suspended in the last two weeks for violating two lines of the dress code pertaining mainly to jackets and coats. The district policy does not allow non-navy blue or white jackets and sweatshirts to be worn in school buildings.

Edney said a group from the district, the community and the board helped form the current dress code policy, which they revisited over the summer and approved. The process was a good one, he said.

&8220;It&8217;s a policy from this board,&8221; Edney said. &8220;In truth, I guess we were proud of ourselves.

&8220;But I don&8217;t think we can close a deaf ear to the fact that there are some concerns.&8221;

Since the recent suspensions at Natchez High several parents and students have contacted the superintendent&8217;s office with complaints.

Students have questioned why the color of the jacket should matter, and parents have expressed financial concerns with buying another jacket for their child.

Edney said review of the policy would begin again, starting in the superintendent&8217;s office.

&8220;There&8217;s very little you can do with a board policy in less than 30 days,&8221; he said. &8220;Most things are not snap-your- fingers matters.&8221;

But Edney said the public would get a response of some sort, but said schools will not stop enforcing the current rules in the meantime.

&8220;I assure you that the policy rules until it has been changed by the board,&8221; he said.

Students in violation of the policy have been being suspended for one day at NHS. Principal James Loftin has said he does not have room in in-school suspension to house the number of violators.