Wake County Schools might consider changing its dress code to one that is likely to result in fewer violations. School Board member Lindsay Mahaffey says she's heard a lot of feedback that the current dress code is biased.“Whether it's from mothers or fathers or students, both male and female, saying that they felt there was an application of the dress code more toward young women than young men,” Mahaffey said.
Mahaffey said she has received about ten complaints about the current dress code from the parents of girls. Parents told her the schools' reactions to their daughters' dress code violations were distressing and distracting.
“We want the focus to be on teaching and learning, and we want students to be in the classroom,” she said.
Mahaffey has recommended modeling a new dress code after the one used in Portland, Oregon. It is considered a gender neutral dress code and focuses on what students are expected to wear instead of listing possible violations.
Mahaffey said a committee is seeking input on the proposal from school staff and may later make a recommendation to the full board.
