New Obion Co. Schools Dress Code Policy Released

Union City, Tenn.–The Obion County Schools board of education unanimously voted to revise the district’s dress code policy, effective immediately. The school district central office has released a copy of the new dress code policy to WENK/WTPR and is posted verbatim here.
Among changes, the board eliminated the requirement that students only wear collared shirts. The existing policy requirements regarding pants will still exist. Students will no longer be restricted from wearing vests, light jackets, sweaters, and sweatshirts, etc.
 
The following is the new policy:

Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Obion County Board of Education to provide the best possible educational environment for every student attending schools under its jurisdiction. It is also the Board’s belief that student dress reflects the quality of the school and affects the conduct of students through their class work. All students are expected to dress and groom themselves neatly in clothes and accessories that are appropriate for school activities.¹
The Obion County Board of Education has a responsibility to prepare students to take their place in society as mature, responsible adults. While the Obion County Board of Education desires to allow students flexibility in dress code, it is important that all students follow these guidelines in order to prevent stricter regulations.
A student’s physical appearance must be clean, neat and not distractive. Students must adhere to the dress code on school buses. Parental judgment is suggested, but administrative judgment will take precedence. With this in mind, the following dress code is offered.
Basic Dress Guidelines for All Clothing

• All items of clothing must be properly sized. Pants must fit at the waist, be sized to fit, and must not be skintight, undersized, oversized, sagging, or dragging the ground or floor. Baggy pants, saggy pants, tights or pants made of spandex are prohibited.
• All clothing must be without holes or tears.

• Gloves must not be worn inside the school facilities.

• Sweatpants, wind pants, pajama pants, jogging suits or warm-up suits must not be worn.

• Clothing that indicates drug culture or gang membership, supports gang behavior, or is gang identified will not be allowed.²

Pants/Skirts/Shorts/Jumpers

• Skirts, dresses, skorts, jumpers, and any similar-type clothing must be worn at, or two finger-widths above the knee or longer. Leggings may be worn if they are paired with an appropriate dress.
• Sport shorts are not allowed. Shorts must be hemmed and extend two finger-widths above the knee or longer.

 
Shirts/Sweaters/Coats
 

• Shirts must cover the entire upper body. No sleeveless shirts are allowed.

• Vests, light jackets, including school jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, and cardigans are allowed.

• Heavy coats, heavy jackets, and raincoats are not to be worn inside the building.

Footwear

• Shoes can have heels no higher than one and one-half inches. Athletic shoes, sandals and boots are permitted. Neither house shoes nor flip flops are permitted.

Headwear/Earrings/Jewelry/Piercing

• Clothing or jewelry that indicates drug culture or gang membership, supports gang behavior, or is gang identified is not allowed.²

• Students must not wear jewelry or hair accessories that may be construed as dangerous or distracting.

• Pierced jewelry must be limited to earrings only: students may wear two pairs of earrings provided the earrings are not distracting or present a safety issue. Other pierced jewelry (real or look alike) is not allowed.

• Non-prescribed mouth accessories will not be allowed (i.e., no grills).

• Hats, toboggans, bandanas, headscarves, sweatbands, stocking caps, hair racks/combs, hair rollers, combs, rakes, do rags and sunglasses cannot be worn in the building.

• All tattoos, brands and body piercing must be completely covered at all times.

Miscellaneous

• Athletic teams/clubs – All teams and/or clubs shall travel in adherence to the dress code and/or team uniform. Field trips are included.

• The principal or designee has the authority to determine if the attire is improper and interferes with the teaching/learning process or is prejudicial to good order at school.

• Haircuts, hairstyles or hair color that is non-traditional to the point of causing distractions is not allowed.

Compliance/Dress Code Consequences
A student will not be allowed to return to class until the dress code violation has been corrected. Repeated non-compliance is determined to be a disciplinary issue.
Exemptions
A parent/guardian who objects to the Obion County School’s standard dress code because of religious beliefs must obtain a copy of the dress code and request an exemption in writing. A parent/guardian may request, in writing, a medical exemption based on the medical needs of the student. The principal must accept or deny the request within two (2) school days. If the request is denied, the principal must provide a written explanation for his/her decision.
A parent/guardian can appeal the principal’s decision within two (2) days to the director of schools.  The director of schools must meet with the parent/guardian within five (5) school days of the receipt of the request and must render a decision within five (5) school days after meeting with parent/guardian.  If the request is denied, the director of schools must provide a written explanation for his/her decision.
The parent may make a final appeal to the Board of Education and ask the Board to review the written record of the request for exemption and the denials. This appeal must be made within five (5) school days of the director of schools and/or his/her designee’s denial of the appeal. The Board may hold a hearing on the exemption request at its discretion. The decision of the Board of Education is final. A student will remain in school in the dress style recommended by the parent until the appeal is final.
Obion County School System Faculty and Staff Dress Code
The faculty and staff of the Obion County School System are responsible for establishing a strong professional image in our community. All faculty and staff are expected to dress in a way that brings credibility to the profession.
Professional dress on regular school days is business casual. Professional dress does not include jeans, shorts, wind suits and sweat suits. Revealing clothing is considered inappropriate. The school principals will make exceptions to these professional dress guidelines for special events, field trips, etc.