Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 6, 1992 TAG: 9203060344
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
But during the board meeting that followed, teachers' smiles faded after board member Chip Craig proposed adopting a dress code for teachers.
The attempt failed for lack of a second, but not before it prompted a spirited debate among board members and a sternly worded statement from the Radford Education Association.
"There are some examples [of dress] I have seen recently that shock me," Craig said, trying to convince his colleagues to adopt the Northumberland County School Board's faculty dress policy as its own.
In general, that dress code calls for "dress shirt and slacks and tie for men, and dress, skirt and blouse, or pantsuits for women."
Craig said the dress policy would reflect professionalism in the classroom. He cited blue jeans, sandals, jean jackets and shorts as "examples of inappropriate attire."
But the education association was having none of it. "Many of us are bewildered, and some of us are insulted, by the suggestion of a dress policy," the association's president, Diane Mullis, told the board.
She said the teachers' association was "unaware that a problem exists," and that she'd been contacted by dozens of members who told her the proposal was "demoralizing and confusing."
"This proposal hurts more than the lack of a salary increase," Mullis added. She said no other school districts in the region have dress policies. The contingent of teachers on hand for the meeting applauded Mullis' statement.
Craig, however, was not to be put off. "In some instances, the students are dressing better than the teachers," he said during a debate that extended beyond his motion's failure.
Saying he'd been told by some teachers that a dress policy was needed, Craig expressed surprise at the strong, negative reaction to his proposal. "I really thought this was a policy that would be welcomed by the vast majority of teachers," he said, adding that a dress code was needed because of "a few people."
But board member Betty Plott, a former Pulaski County school administrator, said what's considered appropriate dress is "real subjective." She suggested forming a committee to study the issue.
Board member George Ducker demurred. "I'd hate to see us go to a committee yet," he said. "Some of us aren't aware that this is a problem."
Chairman John McPhail suggested some teachers wore inappropriate dress during a faculty meeting on the first day of school. Teacher June Fortune said first-day dress shouldn't be considered typical, because teachers often are "unpacking and moving things" as they set up their classrooms.
In the end, McPhail said "the profession should police itself."
Craig said that might work all right in the short run, but insisted that a policy was needed in the long run.
McPhail said he planned to discuss the issue with various individuals in the community and school system, and he hinted that the issue could resurface at another board meeting.
But Craig was concerned about current fallout. "These people were my friends before this meeting started. I just hope some of them still speak to me once in a while after it's over," he said.
by CNB