School board: No credit for Hooters work


SAVANNAH, Georgia (AP) -- A 17-year-old high school senior working at a Hooters won't get class credit for her job because the restaurant, known for its waitresses in tight T-shirts and hot pants, is too racy, school district officials decided Thursday.

Laura Williams wanted her hostess job, for which she wears long pants and a collared shirt, to count as part of a work-study program that lets students leave school early so they can work for vocational course credit.

Williams plans to keep the job and give up the credit.

She and her father had asked the school board to overrule the school superintendent's decision that Hooters is an inappropriate workplace for the Effingham County High School program.

All five members of the county school board voted down the restaurant.

"I know we live in a world of Britney Spears, but I don't see us giving school credit in that atmosphere," said school board member Vera Jones.

"It doesn't matter what decision they make," Williams said Thursday. "I plan on staying there. It's just a fun place to work."

Williams' father, Larry Williams, said he's considering a lawsuit against the school system.

Aaron Sharp, manager of the Savannah Hooters, has said the school superintendent overreacted. He said his restaurant strives for a family atmosphere that includes balloons for children and a kids' menu.

Vocational education programs at the high school allow students to leave the campus early each day to work at retail, administrative, service and other jobs. Students earn credits for the courses based on their supervisors' evaluations of their work ethic and performance.