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Board reviews tightened student dress-code draft requiring torso coverage and banning visible undergarments
Summary
Board members reviewed a rewritten dress-code policy draft that replaces vague terms with 'must/shall,' requires mid‑thigh/torso coverage with non‑see‑through fabric, disallows clothing that reveals undergarments, and calls for administrator training and a graphic supplement.
The Washington County School District board spent a portion of its Dec. 9 working session reviewing a substantive rewrite of the student dress-code policy that tightens language and clarifies enforcement.
Staff proposed replacing softer phrasing with mandatory wording ('shall' or 'must'), requiring clothing to cover the torso (abdomen and back) and reach approximately mid‑thigh, prohibiting clothing that reveals undergarments, disallowing tube tops and similar revealing items, and specifying that torso materials must not be see‑through. Board members emphasized the need for a supporting graphic and administrator training so that local staff can apply the standard consistently.
Members debated whether to use the word 'shall' or 'must' and how to avoid open-ended terms such as 'appropriate' without creating enforcement issues or over-policing students. Several board members also asked staff to explicitly state that undergarments must not be visible and that headwear that obscures a student’s face should be handled in policy language. Staff said the final policy will include a short graphic sheet for parents and administrators, guidance on hats/sunglasses, and training for principals to reduce inconsistent enforcement.
Staff recommended placing the revised policy on the board’s regular review schedule with an anticipated formal consideration in January and possible effective dates to give families time to prepare.
