Scranton board amends high‑school dress code after student testimony; handbook language changed

The Scranton School District board on Aug. 26 voted to amend the high‑school dress code in the student handbook for the 2024–25 school year after more than a dozen students testified asking for more flexible clothing options.

Students described the financial burden of required uniforms, sensory concerns and inconsistent enforcement. "A petition has been made by me within our community, gathering over a 1,000 signatures in 2 days," said Zaire Kennedy, a junior at Scranton High School, during the public‑comment period. Several other student speakers echoed that call for change, asking the board to allow business‑casual options such as jeans and additional color choices while still keeping safety‑based restrictions in place.

Board members debated procedure and scope before taking action. Director Merkel moved to approve the revised high‑school dress code; Director [12] offered and won an amendment to change the motion language to specify that the change would be an amendment to the student handbook rather than a policy change. After further discussion — including concerns from some board members about rushing changes and about limiting the change to high school rather than K–12 — the board held a roll‑call vote. The motion passed with seven members voting in favor and three opposed.

Administrators and board members said the revised handbook language will remove some color and top‑style restrictions but will continue to prohibit sweatpants and leggings at the high‑school level, citing safety recommendations from law enforcement. Superintendent Dr. Keating and other administrators said the handbook amendment will be publicly clarified so staff and families know how the change will be implemented.

The administration said the handbook amendment applies to high‑school schedules (including STEM Academy students who follow the high‑school schedule) and that principals will retain the authority to address situations if the change proves unworkable. The board also committed to continued conversations involving students, principals and safety personnel about any broader K–12 revisions.

The board did not adopt additional changes such as explicitly allowing jeans; several student speakers had asked for that, but the approved language focused on expanding permitted colors and business‑casual options while preserving identified safety limits. The change takes effect for the 2024–25 handbook cycle and will be implemented and publicized by the district.