3216 - STAFF DRESS AND GROOMING

Akron City Schools

Administrative Guidelines

3216 - STAFF DRESS AND GROOMING
Rationale for Dress Code:

	A.	All adults should dress in a manner that reflects professionalism.
	B.	All adults are models for students and have a responsibility to dress appropriately.
	C.	How we dress projects our professionalism; a school’s image in the community is influenced by how the adults in the school dress.

The Board of Education believes that employees set an example in dress and grooming for students to follow. All employees should understand this precept and adhere to it in order to enlarge the importance of their task, present an image of dignity, and encourage respect for authority.

The Board retains the authority to specify the following dress and grooming guidelines for staff to prevent distractions that can have an adverse impact on the educational process. When assigned to a job, all Akron Public Schools employees shall:

	A.	Be physically clean, neat and well groomed.
	B.	Dress in a manner consistent with their professional responsibilities.
	C.	Dress in a manner that does not cause damage to District property.
	D.	Be groomed in such a way that their hair style or dress does not cause a health or safety hazard or disrupt the educational process.
	E.	Dress in a manner that communicates professionalism to students and the community.

Clothing for all must be non-distracting in length and fit. It is required that men wear collared shirts, turtleneck shirts or sweaters and slacks. Women must wear knee-length or longer skirts, dresses, jumpers, dressy shorts (city shorts), capris or slacks. All footwear must be secure on the foot and not present a safety hazard. Athletic shoes must be clean and well maintained.

Unacceptable Items:

	A.	Sheer, tight, sleeveless or low-cut clothing exposing cleavage or midriff even with arms raised above the head;
	B.	Exposed tattoos (cover to the maximum extent practicable), obtrusive or distracting jewelry affixed to the nose, cheeks, lips or eyebrows;
	C.	Slippers, flip-flops, and shower shoes;
	D.	Jeans of any kind (applicable only to those employees who work in classrooms or school/administrative offices);
	E.	Sweat pants;
	F.	Sweat shirts.

Dress Guidelines for Meetings with Parents or the Public:

	A.	All employees are requested to make a special effort to dress appropriately for various parent and public relations events.
	B.	Men are requested to wear ties and dress shirts.
	C.	Women are requested to wear professional clothing.
	D.	All shoes should be business professional.

The principal or supervisor may approve variations for special situations such as field days, spirit days, class or team days, work days (when there are no parent conferences or meetings with the public) or for those individuals whose responsibilities may necessitate an alternate form of dress, such as physical education teachers, vocational education instructors, coaches (in season), ROTC and auxiliary personnel.

Determination of the appropriateness of dress shall be left up to the discretion of the principal or immediate supervisor. S/He will counsel the individual employee regarding suitable, appropriate, acceptable and professional dress.

Reasonable accommodations shall be made, by their appropriate supervisor, for those employees who – because of a sincerely-held religious belief, cultural heritage, or medical reason – request a waiver of a particular part of Policy 3216 and the supporting guidelines for dress or appearance.

Approved 7/28/08