The State Board of Education may authorize up to five local school administrative units to implement pilot programs in which students are required to wear uniforms in public schools.

Prior to selecting the pilot units, the State Board of Education shall develop guidelines for local boards of education to use when establishing requirements for students to wear uniforms in public schools. In developing these guidelines, the State Board shall consider (i) ways to promote parental and community involvement in the pilot programs, (ii) relevant State and federal constitutional concerns such as freedom of religion and freedom of speech, and (iii) the ability of students to purchase the uniforms.

Local boards in the pilot units shall establish requirements, consistent with the State Board’s guidelines, for students enrolled in any of their schools to wear uniforms at school during the regular school day.

No State funds shall be used for the uniforms. (1995, c. 334, s. 1.)

Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 115C-16

  • board: means a city board of education, county board of education, or a city-county board of education. See North Carolina General Statutes 115C-5
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3