Scott City School Board approves dress code for teachers

One of the more prevalent complaints about the Scott City School District's unified dress code, at least of late, has been that what applies to students should also apply to teachers.

"I feel that if our children are given a list that says what they can and cannot wear, I want to see the dress code list for the faculty," wrote one recent contributor to the Southeast Missourian's Speak Out.

The Scott City School Board recently obliged, approving an updated faculty dress code policy described as "one step up" from the student code, set to go into effect at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year.

Board president Scott Amick said even before district officials began addressing the student code last fall, district officials looked to better define the faculty policy. He said there had been incidents of lax faculty dress and, on rare occasions, inappropriate attire, the kind of clothing that would "draw a young man's attention."

"It hasn't been quite as bad as it had been with the students, but they're adults," Amick said. "We want them professionally dressed.

"When students are at school we want to have their attention on education, not on what the teacher is wearing."

Superintendent Diann Bradshaw said the updated policy, like the student code finalized in January, specifically defines what is appropriate attire, demanding more professional standards from faculty.

"This is kind of a one-step-up approach," she said.

The appropriate attire list includes dress pants, and the policy mandates skirts at particular lengths and professional or businesslike tops, Bradshaw said.

After nearly three hours of often heated public discussion and a few concessions, the Scott City School Board in late January came to terms with the district's unified student dress code policy. The board approved a conservative list of appropriate dress. Students will wear solid-colored shirts, although sweaters and vests will be allowed. Pants will be khaki, black or blue, dresses must be knee-length. No sweat pants, wind pants or pajama pants will be allowed. Headgear, unnatural hair color or flip-flops will not be allowed, either. Above all, clothing must be "sized to fit."

The dress code will allow basic blue jeans, a concession to the crowd. But the pants can't have embellishments or holes. The board will revisit denim after a full year, however.

Amick said professional dress is important for teachers, who must demand the respect of their students.

"When you dress like the people you're trying to mentor, they're going to think you're one of them," he said. "They are not your friends. I'm happy to see this come along."

mkittle@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

3000 Main St., Scott City, MO