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Hernando Today

Dress Code Could Expand

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By TONY MARRERO

Hernando Today

Published: March 20, 2009

Updated: 03/20/2009 09:44 pm

BROOKSVILLE - Elementary students at some schools in Hernando have dealt with dress codes for years.

Now the school board will consider expanding the rules to all elementary and middle schoolers and even beyond to high school.

The policy is on the agenda for discussion at the board's workshop slated for 2 p.m. Monday.

Under the proposal, Springstead High School would be the testing ground for the dress code at the high school level. If it works, it could be expanded to the district's other three high schools.

A dress code task force formed last year and comprised of teachers, administrators, district staffers and parents, came up with the rules based on studies that show dress codes help improve attendance, graduation and reduce suspension rates, according to material provided to the school board for consideration.

Here are some of the proposed rules for high-schoolers:

• Tops: Solid color, plaid or striped polo-style shirts (with collar and two to three buttons). Solid color, plaid or striped Oxford or dress-style shirts (with collar). Short or long sleeves.

All shirts must be long enough so that no skin is visible when both hands are raised above the head. Shirts do not have to be tucked in.

• Bottoms: Solid color, plaid or striped slacks, khakis, capris or denim jeans. Pants must be worn at the waist and not below the waist.

• Girls may wear knee-length skirts that are an A-line style or pleated. Hemlines must be straight. Solid colored, plaid or striped skirts are permitted.

• Shorts are allowed, but can't be made of spandex-type material. No running shorts or boxer shorts allowed. While the student is sitting, the shorts are not to be shorter than half the distance from the hip to the knee.

• Footwear: Only closed-toe footwear is permitted. No slippers are allowed. Tennis shoes are required for physical education activities.

• Outerwear: Solid color or school sweatshirts are permitted, and so are sweaters and jackets. Only school-related graphics are allowed on outerwear.

• Against the rules: holes or tears in clothing; kerchiefs, headbands, bandannas, skull caps and do-rags aren't allowed on campus.

The rules for middle schoolers are similar, though those grade levels can't wear jeans.

School Board member Sandra Nicholson said she would be open to expanding the dress code, but said she would like to see the district better enforce the current rules of attire.

"If the rules that we have were enforced, we probably wouldn't have to go through this extreme, especially in the high schools," Nicholson said.

Board Chairwoman Dianne Bonfield says she supports dress codes, but questions the timing.

The rules would require many parents to buy new wardrobes for their children in some hard economic times.

"It can be very expensive for families to get started on that," Bonfield said.

Board members also acknowledged they could have a fight on their hands over the issue, especially in high schools, where students bristle at attempts to stifle their individuality.

Charlie Shelmet, a 17-year-old junior at Springstead, says it's a bad idea.

"We're young adults," Shelmet said. "We're about to enter the real world, and we have to figure out on our own how to dress to get respect and get a job."

Springstead Principal Susan Duval did not return a call for comment. But Superintendent Wayne Alexander said the school leadership feels "pretty strongly" about piloting the program.

Alexander also acknowledged the issue may hinge on timing. The district has other issues to work out.

"With so many things going on, it may be a good time to put all that change on hold," he said.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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