School Board to Consider New Dress Code

Published January 13, 2017

Williamson County students will follow a new dress code for the 2017-18 school year. The Williamson County Board of Education is making revisions to its dress code policy and will take a first vote at its meeting Tuesday, January 17.

Policies must be heard a minimum of six times before they can go into effect. If approved during the first reading January 17, the dress code policy will go before the policy committee once again before making its way to the February work session. Board members would then vote on it February 20 for final approval.

Although it may be amended between now and when it receives Board approval, the policy’s minimum standards for acceptable clothing during the school day are currently as follows:

• Tops of shoulders must have a minimum of a 2-inch strap for students in grades 6-12 and a minimum of 1-inch strap for students in grades K-5 unless otherwise covered by an opaque top garment.
• Skin and undergarments must be covered with opaque clothing from the midriff to mid-thigh.
• All pants, trousers, shorts and skirts must be held at the waist.
• Leggings, jeggings and other compression-style garments may be worn so long as an opaque top garment covers the buttocks and genitalia.
• Hats may be worn in buildings with the permission of building administration.
• Shoes are required.
• Any type of clothing, apparel or accessory, including that which denotes such students’ membership in or affiliation with any gang associated with criminal activities is not permitted.

In addition, any apparel or dress that is potentially disruptive to the learning environment or dangerous to the health or safety of students is not permitted. Any apparel or dress that advertises or promotes products or activity prohibited by law or by the Board of Education is also not permitted.

If approved, the new changes would take effect for the 2017-18 school year.