FILE: GAMB
EMPLOYEE DRESS CODE
In order to reinforce a shared vision of the school and central office staff members’ identity as highly motivated professionals, the following dress code has been adopted for all Sabine Parish School Board employees.
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.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Each employee of the Sabine Parish School Board will contribute to the formation of a positive, professional public image by maintaining high standards of personal appearance through appropriate dress and grooming.
Employee dress and grooming shall promote a positive learning/educational environment and a professional, business-like image to the public.
It is the responsibility of the principal or supervisor to be aware of inappropriate dress and to discuss dress and grooming expectations with those employees who may require guidance.
The following apparel is not acceptable for Sabine Parish School Board employees:
Warm up suits, jogging suits, wind suits, velour suits, yoga pants
Jeans of any color*
T-shirts*
Tight fitting/form fitting clothing
Shorts
See-through clothing
Overalls
Scrubs
Tops and dresses that show any cleavage or the midriff
Tank tops
Clothing and jewelry that has any type of drawing or words that would be vulgar, profane, suggestive or affiliated with drugs, alcohol, violence or gangs
Flip-flops (any shoe that goes between the toes and forms a “V”)
Crocs or imitations in the following styles: Beach, Aspen, Professional, Islander, Cleo, or Scoot
* Exception: Principals may designate one day a month for jeans and T-shirts to be worn. In addition jeans may be worn on special occasions, such as homecoming and spirit days as determined by the principal.
Jewelry: Pierced earrings are limited to the ears.
Female Employees
Capris may be worn if they are mid-calf or longer.
Sleeveless tops are only acceptable if the top meets the edge of the shoulder and no undergarments are showing.
Skirts and dresses should be knee length or longer.
Male Employees
Men’s shirts must have sleeves and be tucked in unless designed to be untucked (i.e. sweaters, shirts with banded bottoms).
Mustaches and beards may be worn, but must be trimmed, well groomed and neat. Otherwise facial hair is not allowed.
AGRICULTURE TEACHERS
Agriculture teachers are not exempt from the prohibition on jeans. Due to the nature of their jobs, it is permissible to wear work clothes (i.e khaki type fabrics.)
BUS OPERATORS
Bus operators should follow the general guidelines with the following exception: Bus operators may wear jeans, overalls, scrubs, T-shirts and loose-fitting shorts approaching the knee.
CUSTODIANS
Custodians should follow the general guidelines with the following exception: Custodians may wear jeans, overalls, scrubs, and T-shirts.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS
Physical Education (PE) teachers who spend the majority of the day in physical education classes may wear loose fitting, belted shorts, approaching the knee (no denim or spandex) during their physical education hours. When coaches leave the physical education area, wind pants must be worn. PE teachers are not exempt from the prohibition on T-shirts. Collared shirts should be worn. For athletic contests, coaches should follow the General Guidelines and the policy for Male Employees with the exception of outside sporting events when loose fitting, belted shorts, approaching the knee may be worn (no denim or spandex.)
SCHOOL NURSES AND THERAPISTS
School nurses and therapists should follow the general guidelines with the following exception: Nurses and therapists may wear scrubs.
CONTRACTED EMPLOYEES
Contracted employees must abide by the dress code of the parent employer and/or profession.
SUBSTITUTES AND VOLUNTEERS
All substitutes and volunteers are expected to adhere to the Sabine Parish Employee Dress Code policy.
VIOLATIONS
Violations of the employee dress code shall be addressed as follows:
1st Offense: The employee shall be counseled by the principal or immediate supervisor. The employee will be sent home to change clothes.
2nd Offense: The employee shall receive an unsatisfactory on an observation/evaluation form and subsequently placed in intensive assistance. The employee will be sent home to change clothes.
3rd Offense: The employee shall meet with the Superintendent or his/her designee. The employee will be placed on level 2 of intensive assistance which could lead to termination for insubordination.
NOTE: The above stated dress code is outlined as the minimum acceptable standards. Individual school principals may require a more restrictive dress code.
New policy: August, 2007
Revised: September 12, 2022
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 23:332
Board minutes, 8-6-07, 9-12-22
Sabine Parish School Board