Year Round School Year Starts With Revised Dress Codes

July 1, 2002 - There are new standards for student and teacher dress, as Wake County Schools year-round students return for the start of a new school year July 8.

The Wake County Board of Education approved a new dress code policy April 16. The board's action followed a year of study and public input.

The new policy states:

Principals shall exercise appropriate discretion in implementing this policy, including making reasonable accommodations on the basis of students' religious beliefs or medical conditions. Students are expected to adhere to standards of dress and appearance that are compatible with an effective learning environment. Presenting a bodily appearance or wearing clothing which is disruptive, provocative, revealing, profane, vulgar, offensive or obscene, or which endangers the health and safety of the student or others is prohibited. Examples of prohibited dress or appearance include, but are not limited to, exposed undergarments; sagging pants; excessively short or tight garments; bare midriff shirts; strapless shirts; attire with messages or illustrations that are lewd, indecent, or vulgar or that advertise any product or service not permitted by law to minors; head covering of any kind; see-through clothing; attire that exposes cleavage; any adornment such as chains or spikes that reasonably could be perceived as or used as a weapon; and any symbols, styles or attire frequently associated with intimidation, violence or violent groups about which students at a particular school have been notified. Individual schools are free to specify additional examples of dress or appearance that are prohibited at that school under terms of this policy.

If a student's dress or appearance is such that it constitutes a threat to the health or safety of others, distracts the attention of other students or staff from their work or otherwise violates this dress code, the principal or the principal's designee may require the student to change his or her dress or appearance. A second or repeated violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action.

Principals Jim Palermo of Lufkin Road Middle and Tom Benton of Durant Road Middle said the new policy is similar to the policies they already had in place at their schools. Benton said students will see no changes at his school. Palermo said a letter explaining the new policy was sent home with students in May, the school's PTA newsletter has included information about the revisions, and students are aware of it.

The policy came up for revision after Superintendent Bill McNeal met with the high schools' student body presidents in 2001. The students indicated to McNeal that something needed to be done about the dress code. McNeal and several board members had heard from other individuals and groups that the policy was in need of revision.

Superintendent McNeal named a committee led by Assistant Superintendent Luther Cherry and with 15 people representing teachers, principals, parents, students, attorneys and central office staff. The group met for several months and developed recommendations that were more specific and gave principals more support in enforcing the dress code at their schools. The committee's recommendations were discussed by the nine board advisory councils made up of parents, staff and community members. Each council provided feedback on the policy changes.

The Board of Education Policy Committee reviewed the proposal April 2, and after a lengthy discussion, recommended the policy revision to the Board of Education.

The committee chaired by Cherry also recommended creating a dress code for faculty and employees. The committee's draft policy was reviewed by the board advisory councils and the policy committee. There had been no dress code policy for faculty and employees in the past, only a code of conduct. Board members approved the dress code for faculty and staff May 7.

The new policy for faculty and staff states:

All faculty and employees of the Wake County Public School System serve as role models for the students with whom they work and as leaders in the community. Consistent with these roles, all faculty and employees shall dress in a manner and have an appearance that is appropriate and professional in light of the environment in which they work, the duties of their jobs, and the impressionable youth they serve. Supervisors and school level administrators are authorized to interpret this policy and their interpretations shall be given deference.