FILE:  GAMB

EMPLOYEE DRESS CODE

Employees shall dress professionally, appropriately and tastefully at all times.  Each employee shall use good judgment in his/her total appearance so that the attention of others is not distracted from the educational process.  Employees should be role models for students.

The following rules shall govern the dress of all employees.  In addition to these rules, the administration has the right to make a decision concerning the dress code on anything that might interrupt the educational process.

Principals are responsible to ensure professional dress at their school.  The principal will decide if and when there will be designated days for optional dress.

DRESS AND PERSONAL GROOMING

Employees are expected to be guided in their grooming habits by what is most generally accepted in the business and professional world.  Employee dress and grooming shall not detract from the learning/educational environment of students’ participation in classes, school programs or other school-related activities.  Extremes in style and fit in employee dress and extremes in style of grooming shall not be permitted.  Building administrators and principals shall be authorized to use their discretion in determining extremes in styles of dress and grooming and what is appropriate and suitable for School Board employees.  No employees shall wear, possess, use, distribute, display, or sell any clothing, jewelry, emblem, blade, symbols, sign, or other things which are affiliated with drugs, alcohol, violence, or gang-related activities.  Policies regarding dress and grooming stress the importance of reducing distractions that inhibit learning and are addressed in an attempt to enhance the learning environment.

The School Board shall not discriminate against an employee on the basis of a natural, protective or cultural hairstyle.  Natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle shall include, but is not limited to, afros, dreadlocks, twists, locs, braids, cornrow braids, Bantu knots, curls, and hair styled to protect hair texture or for cultural significance.

LADIES

All female employees may wear a coordinated pants suit, loosely fitting pants and top (blouse, neat knit shirt, pullover, etc.), dressy jumpsuit, dress skirts, or split skirts.  All skirts should be knee-length or below.

Loose-fitting, slack-like, or dress Capri pants without drawstring, elastic, or cargo pockets may be worn.  No spandex, leggings or tight-fitting pants shall be worn.

Tops and blouses shall be long enough so that no midriff skin will show when arms are raised or bending over.

Casual wear such as shorts, spaghetti straps, tank tops, or any low-cut, backless, or strapless clothing shall not be worn.

MEN

Male employees may wear suits and ties, dress pants or khakis with shirt – with or without a tie.  Knit collared shirts are allowable.

MEN AND LADIES

No traditional jean style of pants of any color or wind suits shall be worn (exception:  designated days only with spirit shirts.)

Uniform-type shorts/pants/shirts may be worn by Physical Education (PE) teachers.

Agriculture, shop, maintenance and gym clothing may be worn by employees only during their respective periods.

Non-medical personnel will not wear scrubs.

In order to create a professional appearance, tattoo/body art that create a distraction must be covered.

Shoes must be worn.  Sandals and leather “dress-like” tennis shoes are permitted.  No beach-type, gardening-type, rubber thongs, or shower shoes may be worn.

All employees are to comply with the above policy with the exception of those employees who have designated uniforms.

Employees should be role models for students.

Principals are responsible for ensuring professional dress at their schools.  The principal will decide if and when there will be designated days for optional dress.

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 23:332

Board minutes, 7-2-91, 5-6-93, 5-3-01, 9-3-09, 10-13-22

DeSoto Parish School Board