Schools' dress code loosened slightly

Bedford County Board of Education approved alterations to the student dress code Thursday night, eliminating color restrictions on shirts and strict guidelines requiring in-school suspension for repeated violations.

Starting this fall, any solid-color shirt will be acceptable; in the school year just completed, each school had a specific list of acceptable colors.

Also tweaked was a rule about pant length. The old rule prohibited pant hems below the top of the heel; the new rule simply says they can't fall underneath the shoes.

The old policy listed a specific schedule of punishments for first, second, third and subsequent offenses, including in-school suspensions for second and third offenses. School board members said at last month's meeting that they did not want the dress code to be a cause for keeping students out of class.

The new policy simply states that school principals will develop enforcement procedures to be approved by the board.

The school board approved the new version of the policy by voice vote; it will take effect during the upcoming school year.

Still to be settled is the issue of hooded sweatshirts, or "hoodies."

"The principals, as a group, do not like hoodies," said school board Chairman Barry Cooper. Zip-up hoodies can be used to hide non-compliant clothing when an authority figure is present, said board members. But sometimes, light outerwear is necessary in the classroom for comfort during cold weather.

The board instructed School Superintendent Ed Gray to discuss the issue further with principals and come back with a recommendation.

Meanwhile, the school system has negotiated a provision with Bedford County Education Association requiring that the union develop and enforce guidelines for professional attire among teachers. Board members said the vast majority of teachers already dress professionally, but the new provision will give principals a way to address the few cases where there is a problem.

In return for the professional dress provision, the county agreed to allow BCEA teachers to enroll their children at any school in the system except the magnet school. Previously, teachers had the right to enroll their children at the school nearest their employment.

Teachers can only enroll their children at the magnet elementary school if they meet the normal criteria for admission to that school.