Waterloo students face stricter dress code

Students in 10th grade and lower will walk the hallways with a stricter dress code before they graduate from one of the city's public high schools.

On Monday, the Board of Education approved a new policy for all of the district's elementary, middle and high schools, starting in the 2011-12 academic year. However, individual school administrators can implement the new policy starting this August, as long as the school is prepared for the shift.

“The board's purpose is to get the focus off clothing and onto academics and have the environment where clothes are not issues,” said Sharon Miller of the Waterloo Community School District. Miller said this new policy is intended to help with some of the distractions that can come from clothing.

The district is releasing findings from a survey of the new policy. The study relies on 402 completed surveys from parents in the school district. Of those who answered the district's questions, the report states 72% of parents who responded are in favor of a restricted dress code. The findings also do not show a major difference in support for a stricter dress code across economic lines, such as household income.

Here are some of the main points of the district's new standardized dress code:

Bottoms:

- Shorts, slacks, skorts, skirts and skirted jumpers must be “knee-length”.

- Material: twill, corduroy or denim (not blue jeans).

- No cargo/carpenter style pants with rivets, patterns, strings or large brand tags.

Tops:

- Must have solid colors with a collar. Some designated days may not require a collar.

- Style: polo-type knit, Oxford/woven dress shirts, blouses, turtlenecks.

- School t-shirts will be allowed on certain days.

- No hoods/hoodies.

Shoes:

- Must be closed toe. No flip flops, sandals, Crocs or wheelies.

Clothing Style:

- Shirts must be tucked in.

- Belt are required if the garment has belt loops but the belt buckles cannot be decorative.

- Clothing must be appropriate size, not too loose and not too tight.

- Undergarments must not be visible.

Tuesday, the day after the board's decision, was also the final day of class for Waterloo's Class of 2010. Miller said most of the opposition to the new dress code policy has come from students.

“I think it's a good idea so kids won't get bullied,” said East senior Kukethus Scott, who added that she wished she could have gone to school with the stricter policy.

“I really don't like it,” said freshman Josiah Kollie, who will have to follow the new policy when he starts his junior year. “Too restrictive. People should be allowed to wear what they want.”

Shopping for school clothes may never be the same in Waterloo. Derrick Slater is a co-owner of 4 U Clothing on West 4th Street in downtown Waterloo. Much of his clientele is high school age or older and his fashions cater to what they want. Walking through the aisles, most of his stock will not be allowed in the public schools in 15 months.

To face this challenge, at the front of his store is a small display of polo shirts that would fit the new policy.

“First thing that popped into my mind,” said Slater after he read about the new policy that will affect many of his customers, “we'll be getting more polo shirts. It's definitely going to affect the bottom line but we have avenues where we can get the type of clothing for the schools, too.”

As school administrators get ready for the shift, Miller said she thinks students will, eventually, come around.

“I think once they see it in action, they might not see it as restrictive as they might fear,” said Miller. She also said new polo shirts that fit the policy would not come from tax revenue. Miller said one of the next steps in the process is to secure private backing to make the approved clothing affordable and available for families.