When Monterey School 11th-grader Sarah Wiley began school this year, she was in for a surprise. A pair of khaki pants she has worn to class for several years did not meet the school’s uniform policy. &uot;All of a sudden we can’t wear what we’ve been wearing,&uot; Wiley said. &uot;We’ve been wearing uniforms for three years, and I’ve always worn the same pair of pants.&uot;

After hearing complaints about Monterey’s uniform policy, a group of parents attended last week’s Concordia Parish School Board meeting to get more information about the policy.

&uot;We want clarification about what is acceptable and not acceptable,&uot; said Zona Ellard, a Monterey parent.

Students have been cited for a number of violations such as having pants too tight, too baggy, too short, too long, wearing T-shirts under their shirts or having an outside pocket on their pants, Ellard said.

&uot;I like the uniforms. I don’t have a problem with the (uniform policy),&uot; said Tammy Wiley, Sarah mother. &uot;It’s the nitpicky stuff.&uot;

Last week, parents said at least 80 Monterey students were given in-school suspension for dress code violations.

But the school later decided against the suspension and seems to have dropped the issue, parents said.

Monterey Principal Neeva Sibley declined comment this week.

But Monterey is just one school in the Miss-Lou that has apparently tightened its uniform policy this year.

Cathedral School no longer allows secondary students more than one choice in style of clothes and colors.

&uot;This is all for the purpose of building unity at the school,&uot; said Cathedral principal Dr. Scott Fleming.

&uot;When a Cathedral student is walking down the street, people are going to know.&uot;

This change also makes it easier for teachers to enforce the policy and makes the students equal, Fleming said. &uot;You don’t have the style issue because it’s all one style,&uot; he said.

Frances Cothren, president of the Cathedral School Board, also likes the change.

&uot;I like the fact when you go somewhere you can tell it’s a Cathedral student,&uot; Cothren said. &uot;And I do think what you wear has a direct effect on how you act.&uot;

The Natchez-Adams School District also strengthened its uniform policy this year. Students may not wear designer logos or other trendy styles such as cargo pants, said Millicent Mayo, public relations director for the district.

The district tried the change last year but learned parents had not been given enough notice and had already bought uniforms.

But this year, some parents say they are pleased with the stricter rules.

&uot;I think the policy is good for all the students,&uot; said Michael Winn, a Natchez-Adams parent. &uot;To not enforce it would just minimize the policy.&uot;

Natchez-Adams Schools begin requiring uniforms in 1996 and got rid of the logos so parents could spend less money, Mayo said.

That aspect of the policy also helps the students not to worry about who wore what, Mayo said.

Carla Evers, the principal at Morgantown Elementary and the parent of three district students, describes the uniforms as being &uot;dressed for success.&uot;

&uot;As a parent, I like it because I don’t have to get up every morning&uot; and decide what the children are going to wear, Evers said.

It also helps students focus and promotes family togetherness, she said.

Ferriday’s private Huntington School did not change its policy this year because it has been enforced all along, said assistant principal Emily Guida. &uot;It’s a very pleasant classroom setting,&uot; Guida said of the uniforms. &uot;I think it just added an air of dignity.&uot;

Many Miss-Lou students also said they like wearing uniforms.

Ben Tillman, Cathedral student council president, said having a uniform policy makes his life easier. &uot;People are always going to be hesitant to change, but it’s for the better I believe,&uot;&160;Tillman said.

And Tasheitha Butler, president of the student body at Natchez High, is also glad the district is strictly enforcing the policy.

&uot;I think the uniforms help us as far as having students look alike,&uot; she said.

But Sarah Wiley at Monterey does not like the changes.

&uot;I don’t think it should matter what you wear because you’re up there to learn — not to be penalized for how you dress,&uot; she said.

All schools in the Miss-Lou — public and private — require uniforms, except Adams County Christian School.

ACCS has a dress code policy but not a uniform policy, said Principal Rufus Carlock.

In the past six years, the school’s Parents&160;Teachers League has discussed uniforms two times, but Carlock said he did not expect the school to change its dress code anytime soon.