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Employee Dress Code

EMPLOYEE DRESS

FILE: GAMB

It shall be the policy of the St. Mary Parish School Board to require its employees to dress so that no mode of attire may be considered proper if it distracts from or is disruptive to the positive learning environment of the school. Radical departures from conventional dress or personal grooming and hygiene standards are not permitted.

The guidelines for determining what is considered proper attire and grooming are as follows:

GROOMING:

  • Beards and mustaches are permitted, but must be well groomed.
  • Hair must be cleaned, neat and well groomed. Extreme coloring and extreme hairstyles which represent a substantial departure from community norms in color and style are not permissible. Hair in rollers is not acceptable.
  • Any style of hair that creates a distraction will be considered inappropriate.

DRESS:

  •  Tank shirts, see­through blouses, bare midriffs, and spaghetti straps are not permitted.
  • Skorts, skirts, or dresses worn two inches (2”) above the knee must be worn with hosiery.
  • No see-­through or sheer clothing will be allowed, and no skin shall be visible between pants/trousers, skirts, and shirts/blouses in any position.
  • Clothing that has any type of drawing or words that can be construed as vulgar, profane, suggestive, or advertising an affiliation with drugs, alcohol, violence, or gang­related activities is prohibited.
  • Shorts shall not be worn except for special situations. (See Special Situations)
  • Proper undergarments must be worn at all times.
  • Appropriate footwear (including tennis shoes) must be worn and shoes with laces shall be tied. (No shower shoes, flip flops, thongs, or slippers)
  • The waistband of all clothing, pants/trousers shall be located on the natural waistline of the employee and shall be sized appropriately. No excessively tight clothing, pants/trousers shall be permitted.
  • Ties are optional, except for administrators.
  • Denim outfits such as jumpers, skirts, and dresses may be worn.
  • Jeans may not be worn except on designated spirit days, as allowed by the principal.
  • Leggings and bike shorts shall not be worn.

 ACCESSORIES:

  •  Belts are required if belt loops are present.
  • Patches, decorations, slogans, designs, symbols, or advertisements in poor taste are prohibited. (As determined by the principal)
  • Jewelry shall not be worn in a visible pierced area other than the ear.
  • Tatoos that can be construed as vulgar, profane, or obscene shall not be visible.

 EXCEPTIONS:

 
Physical Education Coaches

  •  Coaches and physical education personnel may wear loose fitting shorts of no more than two inches (2”) above the knee during their physical education hours. When coaches leave the physical education area, “warm­ups” or skirts (being no more than 2” above the knee) must be worn over or instead of shorts.

Agriculture, Health Occupation, NCP, PK, and Kindergarten teachers, along with NCP, PK, and Kindergarten Paraprofessionals

  •  These personnel will dress appropriately for their classes.

Bus Drivers

  • Bus drivers may wear appropriately sized shorts no shorter than two inches (2”) above the knee; bike shorts and spandex are prohibited.
  • Bus drivers/bus aides/crossing guards may wear jeans and t­shirts (without offensive statements or slogans).

 Maintenance, Custodial Staff, Computer Technicians

  •  Maintenance, custodial, employees, and computer technicians may wear jeans and t­ shirts (without offensive statements or slogans).
  • Maintenance, custodial staff, and computer technicians shall wear appropriate footwear during the school day. Shorts can be worn and must be no shorter than two inches (2”) above the knee.

Child Nutrition Staff

  •  Child nutrition staff must be in compliance with the dress code of the School Food Service Office.

OFFENSES

 This policy has been passed for the welfare and best interest of all employees of the district and as an example to our students and general public of the surrounding community. Should this policy be violated by employees, the following actions shall be initiated:

  • First Offense: If the determination is made by an administrator that an employee is in violation of the Employee Dress Code, a verbal reprimand will be given by the immediate supervisor.
  • Second Offense: If the determination is made by an administrator that an employee is in violation of the Employee Dress Code, a conference shall be held with the employee and his/her immediate supervisor. A letter of reprimand from his/her immediate supervisor shall be placed in the employee’s personnel file at the local unit of administration. A copy will be forwarded to Personnel for inclusion in the Personnel folder.
  • Third Offense: If the determination is made by an administrator that an employee is in violation of the Employee Dress Code, a conference shall be scheduled and held with the employee, his/her immediate supervisor, and the Supervisor of Human Resources. A letter of reprimand from the immediate supervisor shall be placed in the employee’s Personnel file at the local unit of administration. A copy shall be forwarded to personnel for inclusion in the Personnel folder.
  • Fourth Offense: An administrative hearing will be conducted by the Assistant Superintendent of Administration, Supervisor of Human Resources, and the principal. Action may include disrespect for authority and/or insubordination and could result in dismissal of the employee.

 Revised: January, 2005

 Ref:     La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:81 Board minutes, 10­14­04

 St. Mary Parish School Board