TAMPA, Fla. — Just weeks after approving a brand new pupil code of conduct, Hillsborough County School Board members are contemplating altering it.
The debate facilities on a dress code requirement for college kids carrying leggings. One mother or father says that the rule unfairly targets women, and he has gathered hundreds of signatures calling for it to be modified.
Just weeks earlier than the beginning of a brand new faculty yr, Oleg Martens stated he and his two daughters had been shocked by a sudden change to the dress code.
“There was an intro to high school that my daughter went to. She came back with a friend from orientation day and said, ‘You know what Dad, they’re banning spandex. They’re banning yoga pants,’” he stated.
This is the a part of the dress code he’s speaking about: It states, partially, that spandex or leggings usually are not permitted except worn as an undergarment or lined by clothes that extends no less than mid-thigh.
“Why now? This is a comfortable clothing choice they can make to go to school and still meet what used to be the dress code for Hillsborough County, so I don’t understand any of that, and frankly, I disagree with it because I think the rule disproportionately effects girls,” stated Martens.
Martens began this petition two weeks in the past — since then, almost 3,000 folks have signed it. He additionally spoke eventually week’s faculty board assembly, asking board members to take a re-assessment.
Nearly 3,000 folks have signed the petition.
“We would like to better understand as a community what motivated the changes. What data was used, what peer review studies, what empirical data was used. I’ve done a little bit of research online and I’m finding no conclusive evidence that indicates restricting what young women can wear at school reduces distractions or improves the learning experience,” he stated, addressing the varsity board.
Board members listened and are taking a re-assessment on Tuesday. They will resolve whether or not to amend the leggings portion of the dress code.
“Our student code of conduct goes before parents, students, administrators — to get to that point, of committees who have gone through and looked at that, but our board is listening to our families,” stated Hillsborough County School Superintendent Van Ayres. “And there were some concerns around that, so they’re going to talk about it (Tuesday).”
The Martens household says they’ll be watching intently to see whether or not faculty board members agree that the policy deserves a change.
The Hillsborough School Board will vote at Tuesday’s assembly. It begins at 4 p.m.
