Waterloo school district defending dress code again

Waterloo School District officials defended the district's dress code policy in front of a state administrative judge for the second time in as many years Monday.

Waterloo parents Ricki and Teesha Peters want the state board to overturn the district's dress code that lists what type of clothing students cannot wear in school buildings during the school day.

It was a familiar situation for the Peters, who successfully challenged the district's dress code last year and ignited a statewide debate over how far public school districts could reach into their students' wardrobes.

That policy dictated what type of clothing could wear during the school day and, in January, the state board of education agreed that the Waterloo district overstepped its authority.

That ruling sparked state legislation that would allow school districts to impose school dress codes by either prescribing or proscribing uniforms. That legislation is still pending approval in the state Senate.

“At the end of the day, it's about getting a policy that is both legal and usable in our district,” Ricki Peters said after the daylong hearing in the Grimes Office Building in Des Moines.

The hearing included very detailed discussion of the district's dress code, including a line-by-line reading of the prohibited clothing items by attorney Steve Wediner, who represented the district at the hearing.

After reading each line, Department of Education Administrative Law Judge Carol Greta asked Ricki Peters if he objected to the district prohibiting a particular clothing item.

The discussion alternated between talk of studded belts, baggy pants and plaid colors to gang culture and school environment, the latter two being the reasons the former three items are among those prohibited from school districts.

Waterloo East High School Principal Willie Barney said there has been a difference in his building since the dress code took effect, including better test scores, fewer fights and a renewed feeling of school pride.

“Can I say that it is directly related to the dress code? I cannot say that for sure. It's anecdotal,” he said.

Barney was one of three Waterloo School District principals who testified on behalf of the district. Also testifying were Superintendent Gary Norris, two of his cabinet staff, the school board president and Waterloo Police Officer Michael Girsch.

The Peters' did not offer any testimony or witnesses. Instead, Ricki Peters attempted to make his points during cross-examination of the district's witnesses.

Young said the dress code issue is one that gets more attention than just about anything else the board has grappled with, but it's only one consideration in the overall mission of the district.

“Our schools are about learning, but we need to be financially healthy, and we're getting there, and we need to have a safe environment,” Young said. “There is an understanding on the board that we represent the whole district, and we'll do what's right for the whole district.”

A decision on the appropriateness of the dress code could be made as soon as the September state board of education meeting.