School Board Policy 496 -
Faculty and Staff Dress and Appearance

Adopted: August 13, 2012 
revised: November 9, 2020 
Revised: November 13, 2023

I. Purpose and Belief

The purpose of this policy is to enhance the education of students by establishing expectations of dress and grooming that are related to educational goals and community standards, and that set an appropriate example for students. We believe that professionally dressed staff set a higher expectation for student behavior and building climate.

II. General Statement of Policy

A. The school district recognizes that teachers and other staff members are role models for the students who come in contact with them during and after school hours. As role models, teachers and other staff should be conscious of their dress and grooming and how it may affect and be perceived by students, parents and community members.

Teachers and staff are expected to dress in a professional and appropriate manner that will be conducive to the educational environment. Employees should be clean, neat, well groomed and dressed in an appropriate manner for their individual work assignments.

A wide variety of teaching styles and activities occur among subject, age and grade levels. Therefore, activities and assignments planned for the day will influence, to a degree, the style of dress considered appropriate attire. Good judgment and common sense should be used in choosing appropriate attire.

The responsibility for determining appropriate grooming and dress consistent with this policy shall be under the supervision of the district and school level administrator.

 

Legal References: 
U.S. Const., amend. I
Kelley, Comm’r, Suffolk Cnty. Police Dep’t v. Johnson, 425 U.S. 238 (1976)
Tardif v. Quinn, 545 F.2d 761 (1st Cir. 1976)
Miller v. Sch. Dist. No. 167, 495 F.2d 658 (7th Cir. 1974)
Morrison v. Hamilton Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 494 S.W.2d 770 (Tenn. 1973)

Cross References: 
WBLASB Policy 413 (Harassment and Violence)
WBLASB Policy 504 (Student Dress and Appearance)
WBLASB Policy 609 (Religion)